Presentation and management of symptomatic central bone cement embolization

Background context

With more cement augmentation procedures done, the occurrence of serious complications is also expected to rise. Symptomatic central cement embolization is a rare but very serious complication. Moreover, the pathophysiology and treatment of intrathoracic cement embolism remain controversial.

Purpose

In this case series, we are trying to identify various presentations and suggest our emergent management scheme for symptomatic central cement embolization.

Patient sample

Retrospective case series of nine patients with symptomatic central cement embolism identified after vertebroplasty with 24 months of follow-up. Level IV.

Outcome measures

The degree of dyspnea measured by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) score and/or death related to cement embolism induced cardio/respiratory failure at the final follow-up at 24 months.

Methods

The nine patients, eight females, and one male had a mean age of 70.25 years (range 65–78 years) and were operated between January 2004 and December 2014. They had percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic non-traumatic and malignant vertebral collapse of dorsal and lumbar vertebrae. Post-vertebroplasty dyspnea and stitching chest pain were striking in the nine patients. After exclusion of cardiac ischemia and medical pulmonary causes for dyspnea, we identified radiopaque lesions on the chest X-ray. Further echocardiography and high-resolution chest CT were performed for optimal localization. Emergent heart surgery was performed in two patients: interventional therapy was conducted in one patient, while the remaining six patients were conservatively treated by anticoagulation. The management decision was taken in the setting of an interdisciplinary meeting depending on localization, fragmentation, and clinical status.

Results

All patients of this series showed gradual improvement and an uneventful hospital stay. During our 24-month follow-up phase, eight patients showed no subsequent cardiological and/or respiratory symptoms (NYHA I). However, one mortality due to advanced malignancy occurred. Preoperative anemia was the only common intersecting preoperative parameter among these nine patients.

Conclusions

After cement augmentation, close clinical monitoring is mandatory. A chest CT is pivotal in determining the interdisciplinary management approach in view of the availability of necessary expertise, facilities and the location of the cement emboli whether accessible by cardiac or vascular surgical means. The clinical presentation and its timing may vary and the patient may be seen subsequently by other health care providers obligating a wide-spread awareness for this serious entity among health care providers for this age group as spine surgeons, family and emergency room doctors, and institutional or home-care nurses. Most symptomatic central cement emboli may be treated conservatively.

     

Sedation and the technical performance of colonoscopy

The use of sedation for routine endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy, varies widely across cultures. This variation in sedation practice is greater than any other culturally based variation in the technical performance of endoscopy. This article sequentially reviews the technical performance of colonoscopy in patients who undergo unsedated colonoscopy, sedation with narcotics and benzodiazepines, and deep sedation with propofol. For each of these approaches to colonoscopy, the advantages and disadvantages also are listed and discussed.     

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL among cancer patients in Jordan

Purpose

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in cancer care and needs assessment by a valid questionnaire. HRQOL questionnaires need to be validated after translations to other languages and cultural settings. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 15 items Questionnaire for Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of a convenient sample of inpatients with cancer.

Results

One hundred seventy-five patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient met the 0.7 alpha criterion. Confirmatory factor analysis met the goodness of fit criteria; goodness-of-fit index (GFI), comparative fit index (CFI), normed fit index (NFI) and non-normed fit index (NNFI) >0.90 and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) <0.06. All item-scale correlation coefficients exceeded the set value of 0.40, indicating satisfactory convergent validity. In terms of discriminant validity, all items in the questionnaire showed a higher item-scale correlation than item-other scale correlation, except for items 1 and 2 (physical function scale) that showed a higher correlation with fatigue. Construct validity was tested by item inter scale correlation coefficient. All constructs had correlation coefficient <0.70. External validity was tested by comparison of scores of patients who had metastasis and who did not have metastasis. Significant differences (P value <0.05) were found in all scales except for nausea. Age groups were compared and showed significant differences for physical function, fatigue, and global score of HRQOL.

Conclusion

The Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL is valid and reliable.

     

Meta-Analysis of Trials on Prophylactic Use of Levosimendan in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

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Visual internal urethrotomy for management of urethral strictures in boys: a comparison of short-term outcome of holmium laser versus cold knife

Purpose

To compare efficacy and safety of visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) using holmium laser (Ho:YAG) (group A) versus cold knife (group B) in children with urethral strictures. It may be the first comparative study on this issue in children.

Methods

This study compared Ho:YAG group, which was evaluated prospectively from January 2014 till January 2016, versus cold knife group, which was a historical control performed from March 2008 till February 2010. Children ≤ 13 years old with urethral strictures ≤ 1.5 cm were included successively. Recurrent cases, congenital obstructions and cases with complete arrest of dye in voiding cystourethrography were excluded. Scar tissue was incised at twelve o’clock. Outcome was compared using Student’s t, Mann–Whitney, Chi-square or Fisher exact tests as appropriate.

Results

Each group included 21 patients. Mean age was 6.27 ± 3.23 (2–13) years old. Mean stricture length was 1.02 versus 1 cm in group A versus B, respectively (p = 0.862). Ten cases of penile/bulbous strictures and another 11 cases of membranous strictures were found in each group. There was no significant difference between both groups in preoperative data. Success rate for initial VIU was 66.7% in group A versus 38% in group B (p = 0.064). This was associated with significantly higher Q_max in group A (mean 16.52 vs 12.09 ml/s; p = 0.03). Success rate after two trials of VIU was 76.2% for group A and 47.61% for group B (p = 0.057). No complications were reported in both groups.

Conclusion

Laser VIU has a higher success rate than cold knife VIU for urethral strictures ≤ 1.5 cm in children with significantly higher Q_max. Both are easy to perform, low invasive and safe.

     

Bacteroides fragilis vertebral osteomyelitis: case report and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: To review the presentation of Bacteroides fragilis (B fragilis) spondylodiscitis. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched the published English, Spanish and French languages literature through September 2005 using MEDLINE (1966-2005). We included all reported cases of vertebral osteomyelitis or spondylodiscitis caused by B fragilis, not related to sacral decubitus ulcers, in adults (age 16 yr and above). A third author independently reviewed all articles and extracted data for accuracy. The final pool of eligible publications included 11 articles, publication dates ranging from 1978 to 2005. Eight were written in English, two in Spanish, and one in French. RESULTS: The age of the patients in this series ranged from 17 to 74 years, with a mean age of 55 years. Male to female ratio was 6:1. Lumbar involvement was reported in nine cases, thoracic involvement in two patients and sacral involvement in one patient. B fragilis was recovered by blood culture in four patients and by tissue culture in eight patients. Metronidazole was the most common antibiotic used for treatment (eight patients), either as monotherapy or in combination with other antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: B fragilis is a rare causative agent of spondylodiscitis, but it should be considered in patients with spondylodiscitis who have contiguous intraabdominal or pelvic infections or who had recent gastrointestinal procedures that may have led to B fragilis bacteremia.     

TNF-alpha and CXCL-10 correlation with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

There are increasing reports of association between HCV infection and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Although the mechanism by which this association remains uncertain, development of insulin resistance may explain this association. We investigated the association of TNF-alpha and CXCL-10 with insulin resistance in HCV infected patients. Forty-four non-diabetic chronic hepatitis C patients and twenty healthy individuals were included. Fasting blood was used for glucose and insulin measurements. Diagnosis of insulin resistance (IR) was based on a mathematical means by the homeostasis model assessment score-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Serum insulin, TNF-alpha and CXCL-10 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative measurement of hepatitis C virus was performed by a standardized real time PCR assay. The HCV patients demonstrated a significant increase in serum TNF-alpha, CXCL-10, and HOMA-IR values as compared to normal controls. HOMA-IR level positively correlated with hepatitis C viral load, TNF-alpha and CXCL-10. It is concluded that, TNF-alpha, CXCL-10 correlate with IR and may play a role in the development of type-2 diabetes mellitus in chronic hepatitis C infected patients.     

An unceasing problem: soil-transmitted helminthiases in rural Malaysian communities

Despite great development in socioeconomic status throughout 50 years of independence, Malaysia is still plagued with soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). STH continue to have a significant impact on public health particularly in rural communities. In order to determine the prevalence of STH among rural Orang Asli children and to investigate the possible risk factors affecting the pattern of this prevalence, fecal samples were collected from 292 Orang Asli primary schoolchildren (145 males and 147 females) age 7-12 years, from Pos Betau, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. The samples were examined by Kato-Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Socioeconomic data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. The overall prevalence of ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infections were 67.8, 95.5 and 13.4%, respectively. Twenty-nine point eight percent of the children had heavy trichuriasis, while 22.3% had heavy ascariasis. Sixty-seven point seven percent of the children had mixed infections. Age > 10 years (p = 0.016), no toilet in the house (p = 0.012), working mother (p = 0.040), low household income (p = 0.033), and large family size (p = 0.028) were identified as risk factors for ascariasis. Logistic regression confirmed low income, no toilet in the house and working mother as significant risk factors for ascariasis. The prevalence of STH is still very high in rural Malaysian communities. STH may also contribute to other health problems such as micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition and poor educational achievement. Public health personnel need to reassess current control measures and identify innovative and integrated ways in order to reduce STH significantly in rural communities.