Contribution of different somatosensory afferent input to subcortical somatosensory evoked potentials in humans

ObjectivesTo investigate the subcortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to electrical stimulation of either muscle or cutaneous afferents.MethodsSEPs were recorded in 6 patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) who underwent electrode implantation in the pedunculopontine (PPTg) nucleus area. We compared SEPs recorded from the scalp and from the intracranial electrode contacts to electrical stimuli applied to: 1) median nerve at the wrist, 2) abductor pollicis brevis motor point, and 3) distal phalanx of the thumb. Also the high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) were analysed.ResultsAfter median nerve and pure cutaneous (distant phalanx of the thumb) stimulation, a P1-N1 complex was recorded by the intracranial lead, while the scalp electrodes recorded the short-latency far-field responses (P14 and N18). On the contrary, motor point stimulation did not evoke any low-frequency component in the PPTg traces, nor the N18 potential on the scalp. HFOs were recorded to stimulation of all modalities by the PPTg electrode contacts.ConclusionsStimulus processing within the cuneate nucleus depends on modality, since only the cutaneous input activates the complex intranuclear network possibly generating the scalp N18 potential.SignificanceOur results shed light on the subcortical processing of the somatosensory input of different modalities.     

Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).MethodsDuring a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5–11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.ResultsIn 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non–Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.ConclusionsTAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.     

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

A Pilot First-in-Human Study of Embrace,a Polyethylene Glycol-Based Liquid Embolic Agent,in the Embolization of Malignant and Benign Hypervascular Tumors

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of an aqueous polyethylene glycol-based liquid embolic agent, Embrace Hydrogel Embolic System (HES), in the treatment of benign and malignant hypervascular tumors.Materials and MethodsA prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, with a median age of 58.5 years (30–85 years), who underwent embolization in 8 tumors between October 2019 and May 2020. Technical success was defined as successful delivery of HES to the index vessel, with disappearance of >90% of the targeted vascular enhancement or, for portal vein embolization, occlusion of the portal branches to the liver segments for future resection. The volume of HES administered, ease of use (5 point Likert scale), administration time, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Evaluation was performed at 7, 30, and 90 days via clinical assessment and blood testing, and follow-up imaging was performed at 30 days.ResultsEight patients were enrolled, and 10 embolizations were performed in 8 lesions. Tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4), renal angiomyolipoma (n = 3), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Technical success was 100%, and the average ease of use was 3.3 ± 1.0 SD. The HES delivery time was 1–28 minutes (median, 16.5 minutes), and the HES volume injected was 0.4–4.0 mL (median, 1.3 mL). All patients reached 30-day follow-up with imaging, and 6 patients reached 90-day follow-up. There were 3 serious AEs in 2 patients that were unrelated to the embolic agent.ConclusionHES resulted in a 100% embolization technical success rate. The product ease of use was acceptable, and no target vessel recanalization was noted on follow-up imaging at 30 days.     

食管癌高、低发区食管鳞癌患者生存及其影响因素分析

目的 探讨食管癌高、低发区食管鳞癌患者的生存状况及其影响因素。方法 收集38 741例经病理学证实为食管鳞癌患者的资料，其中，高发区患者23 273例（60.1%），低发区15 468例（39.9%）。所有患者均行食管癌根治术。运用卡方检验分析不同临床病理特征患者的组间差异，Kaplan-Meier法绘制不同临床病理特征患者的生存曲线并用Log rank进行检验。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型法分析影响生存的主要因素。结果 低发区男性患者所占比例高于高发区（P<0.001），低发区诊断年龄≥50岁食管癌患者所占比例高于高发区（P<0.001）。高发区食管鳞癌患者的整体生存优于低发区患者（P<0.001）。Cox比例风险回归模型综合分析结果表明：高低发区、性别、确诊年龄、肿瘤部位、分化程度、TNM分期和肿瘤家族史均是影响食管鳞癌患者生存的独立因素。结论 高发区食管鳞癌患者整体生存优于低发区；低发区是食管鳞癌患者预后差的独立危险因素。     

原发性骶尾部脊索瘤的CT分型及征象

目的对治疗前原发性骶尾部脊索瘤(PSC)CT图像分型,并分析其CT征象,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。方法回顾性分析101例PSC患者治疗前的CT图像,包括肿瘤的部位、范围、大小、密度、肿瘤与邻近结构的关系。按照肿瘤的部位由上及下分为Ⅰ~Ⅳ型,并根据肿瘤侵犯的范围从小到大分为a^d亚型。采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较PSC各亚型的占比,并对各亚型之间进行两两比较。采用R×C列联表精确概率检验比较分型和亚型肿瘤钙化的发生率。采用单因素方差分析及LSD-t检验对各分型和亚型肿瘤的大小和密度进行分析、比较。结果101例PSC中,Ⅰ~Ⅳ型的发生率分别为17.8%、30.7%、36.6%、14.9%,a^d亚型的占比分别为9.9%、25.7%、58.4%、5.9%。各亚型的占比差异具有统计学意义(P=0.012)。c亚型明显高于a亚型(P=0.039),d亚型明显低于a亚型(P=0.036),其余各型之间无明显差异。各分型肿瘤内钙化的差异无统计学意义(P=0.233);各亚型肿瘤内钙化的差异有统计学意义(P=0.003),a^d亚型肿瘤钙化的比率逐渐增加。Ⅰ型肿瘤的左右径及上下径明显大于Ⅱ~Ⅳ型(P<0.05)。a亚型与b亚型肿瘤之间前后径的差异无统计学意义(P=0.102),b^d亚型之间前后径的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同亚型肿瘤之间的左右径、上下径之间的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),a亚型径线最小,d亚型径线最大。结论101例PSC中,Ⅱ、Ⅲ型最多见,肿瘤较少累及第一骶骨;各亚型中,a型较少见,c亚型最多见,d亚型最少见。肿瘤的密度与分型无关,肿瘤内钙化与亚型有关。Ⅰ型肿瘤侵犯的范围较Ⅱ~Ⅳ型广泛,a^d亚型肿瘤的径线逐渐增大,CT分型有利于判断肿瘤的范围。PSC诊断延迟现象比较明显,但很少发生远处侵犯和转移。CT图像可对治疗前PSC分型,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。     

A case of purulent pneumococcal pericarditis

Background

Purulent bacterial pericarditis is a rare and potentially fatal disease. The course may be fulminant, and the presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge.

Two cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess necessitating liver resection for effective treatment

We report two British cases of liver abscess, due to Klebsiella pneumoniae and associated with synchronous infection elsewhere, which required liver resection for definitive treatment. They illustrate the geographic spread of aggressive K pneumoniae liver infection and demonstrate the importance of early aggressive treatment.