A randomized multicenter study to determine the efficacy of activity restriction for preterm labor management in patients testing negative for fetal fibronectin.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of activity restriction (AR) on the incidence of preterm birth in women treated for preterm labor testing negative for fetal fibronectin (fFN). STUDY DESIGN: Women who were diagnosed with preterm labor and tocolyzed with magnesium sulfate were concurrently screened with fFN for the purpose of subsequent management. Included were consenting patients with negative fFN, gestational age 23 0/7-33 6/7 weeks, cervical dilation < or =3 cm, and minimal vaginal bleeding. Patients were randomized to AR or no AR. Primary study outcome was incidence of preterm delivery and interval from randomization to delivery. RESULTS: A total of 73 women with negative fFN were randomized (36 with AR, 37 without AR). The overall preterm birth rate was 40%, with 44.4% of patients with AR and 35.1% of patients without AR delivering preterm, p=0.478. CONCLUSION: Maternal AR did not impact pregnancy outcome. The incidence of preterm birth in symptomatic women testing fFN negative was higher than previously reported.     

A Chinese adolescent girl with Fechtner-like syndrome

We describe a 15-y-old girl with Fechtner-like syndrome, who is the first Chinese reported to have this rare syndrome. She presented with left homonymous hemianopia and neuroimaging revealed haemorrhage in both parietal and occipital lobes. Peripheral blood smear showed macrothrombocytopenia and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies inside leucocytes. Thrombocytopenia and proteinuria responded to intravenous immunoglobulin and pulsed methylprednisolone. This case illustrates that life-threatening haemorrhage can occur in patients with Fechtner syndrome. Although there was no effective treatment reported in the literature, high dose steroid and immunoglobulin seemed to be useful in our patient. Our patient also had nephritic-nephrotic syndrome with renal insufficiency, which is unusual in adolescent female patients.     

Indicated and non-indicated preterm delivery in twin gestations: impact on neonatal outcome and cost.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the etiology and impact of preterm delivery in twin gestations. STUDY DESIGN: Twin gestations delivered at 33.0 to 36.9 weeks were identified in a perinatal database, and categorized by indication for delivery. Deliveries were identified as indicated, or non-indicated (discretionary). Neonatal outcomes were measured by birth weight, length of stay, NICU admission, and ventilator utilization. Data were divided and analyzed by indicated or discretionary delivery, and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Analyzed were 3252 twin gestations (6504 infants), with 78% having indicated delivery. Of the 22% with discretionary delivery, nearly 40% required NICU admission. With each advancing week of gestation, there was a significant decrease in incidence of NICU admission and nursery days. CONCLUSION: The majority of preterm deliveries were indicated, though 22% were discretionary. It is vital to consider neonatal morbidity and costs related to gestational age when choosing discretionary delivery.     

Mandibular fracture not shown by axial computed tomography: Benefit of computed reformation

A 36-year-old man was brought to the emergency department after being assaulted. A mandible series showed a nondisplaced fracture through the angle of the mandible extending through the left third molar tooth. Axial slices from a nonhelical computed tomographic (CT) examination of the head as well as a helical CT examination of the mandible failed to demonstrate the fracture. The fracture was well shown, however, on sagittal CT reformations. Although CT is generally regarded as more sensitive than plain radiography for the detection of fractures, fractures may be overlooked by CT if examination in only one plane is performed.     

Focused helical appendiceal computed tomography: Technique and interpretation

This article reviews a focused helical appendiceal computed tomographic technique and discusses an approach to appendiceal computed tomographic interpretation.     

Determination of needed radiographic room capacity to serve an emergency department

This study describes a method for determining the number of radiographic rooms devoted to emergency radiology that would be required to keep mean patient waiting time at a desired level. A desired mean waiting time for patients must be determined. In our setting, a mean waiting time of 8 minutes resulted in few complaints. The waiting time then sets the required utilization rate of available capacity. Daily and hourly volume and variability in volume of examinations were measured over a 3-month period. This represents the demand. The needed number of rooms is determined by comparing demand with effective available capacity for different numbers of rooms. To maintain an 8-minute mean waiting time, 50% utilization of capacity is required. Mean demand on Sundays is 176 examinations. Five rooms are required, since this gives a 180-examination effective capacity. Using waiting time as the primary decision criterion for making capacity decisions in emergency radiology has several advantages: the method is easy to use, volume variability is taken into account, and the focus is on service to patients.