Differentiating benign from malignant cardiac tumors with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

The purpose of this analysis is to describe the differences in cardiac magnetic resonance characteristics between benign and malignant tumors, which would be helpful for surgical planning.

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels inversely correlate with lung function improvement (delta FEV1) in cystic fibrosis patients receiving ivacaftor treatment

Background

We have recently shown that human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels correlate with the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, there are no data on how HE4 levels alter in patients receiving CFTR modulating therapy.

Stage 1 acute kidney injury is independently associated with infection following cardiac surgery

ObjectivesSevere acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known risk factor for infection and mortality. However, whether stage 1 AKI is a risk factor for infection has not been evaluated in adults. We hypothesized that stage 1 AKI following cardiac surgery would independently associate with infection and mortality.MethodsIn this retrospective propensity score–matched study, we evaluated 1620 adult patients who underwent nonemergent cardiac surgery at the University of Colorado Hospital from 2011 to 2017. Patients who developed stage 1 AKI by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes creatinine criteria within 72 hours of surgery were matched to patients who did not develop AKI. The primary outcome was an infection, defined as a new surgical-site infection, positive blood or urine culture, or development of pneumonia. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, stroke, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS).ResultsStage 1 AKI occurred in 293 patients (18.3%). Infection occurred in 20.9% of patients with stage 1 AKI compared with 8.1% in the no-AKI group (P < .001). In propensity-score matched analysis, stage 1 AKI independently associated with increased infection (odds ratio [OR]; 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-3.17), ICU LOS (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.71–3.31), and hospital LOS (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.17-1.45).ConclusionsStage 1 AKI is independently associated with postoperative infection, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. Treatment strategies focused on prevention, early recognition, and optimal medical management of AKI may decrease significant postoperative morbidity.     

Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.     

Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization Using Combined Particle Embolization and n-BCA with the Dextrose 5% in Water Push Technique for Chronic Subdural Hematomas: A Prospective Safety and Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Embolization of the middle meningeal artery for treatment of refractory or recurrent chronic subdural hematomas has gained momentum during the past few years. Little has been reported on the use of the n-BCA liquid embolic system for middle meningeal artery embolization. We present the technical feasibility of using diluted n-BCA for middle meningeal artery embolization.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We sought to examine the safety and technical feasibility of the diluted n-BCA liquid embolic system for middle meningeal artery embolization. Patients with chronic refractory or recurrent subdural hematomas were prospectively enrolled from September 2019 to June 2020. The primary outcome was the safety and technical feasibility of the use of diluted n-BCA for embolization of the middle meningeal artery. The secondary end point was the efficacy in reducing hematoma volume.RESULTS:A total of 16 patients were prospectively enrolled. Concomitant burr-hole craniotomies were performed in 12 of the 16 patients. Two patients required an operation following middle meningeal artery embolization for persistent symptoms. The primary end point was met in 100% of cases in which there were no intra- or postprocedural complications. Distal penetration of the middle meningeal artery branches was achieved in all the enrolled cases. A 7-day post–middle meningeal artery embolization follow-up head CT demonstrated improvement (>50% reduction in subdural hematoma volume) in 9/15 (60%) patients, with 6/15 (40%) showing an unchanged or stable subdural hematoma. At day 21, available CT scans demonstrated substantial further improvement (>75% reduction in subdural hematoma volume).CONCLUSIONS:Embolization of the middle meningeal artery using diluted n-BCA and ethiodized oil (1:6) is safe and feasible from a technical standpoint. The use of a dextrose 5% bolus improves distal penetration of the glue.

Despite traditional treatment with surgical evacuation, chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs) tend to have an indolent course with frequent recurrences.¹ In recent years, embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) for treatment of refractory or recurrent cSDH has gained momentum, with recent literature showing a significant reduction in the size of the cSDH as well as lower rates of recurrence.² The primary endovascular techniques used to date have involved the use of polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) and Onyx liquid embolic (ethylene-vinyl alcohol dissolved in dimethyl-sulfoxide; Medtronic). Another commonly used liquid embolic agent in the neurointerventional area is n-BCA, which is a liquid adhesive that polymerizes rapidly on contact with ionic substances and can be injected to achieve permanent vessel occlusion. The rates of polymerization and flow and the penetration depth can be modified using varying amounts of ethiodized oil as well as concurrent infusion of dextrose 5% in water (D5W) during n-BCA (Trufill, Cordis Neurovascular) injection (D5W-push technique).³ Data on the use of n-BCA as an embolic agent in cases of cSDH are extremely limited. Herein, we sought to study the safety and technical feasibility of using diluted n-BCA for embolization of the MMA for cSDHs.