Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver: presence of biliary communication

A 35-year-old woman was referred for a symptomatic liver mass. Diagnostic workup detected a septated cyst located centrally in the liver measuring 10 × 7 cm. The cyst had gradually increased in size from previous studies with new intrahepatic biliary dilation. Due to concern for malignancy and symptomatic presentation of the patient, a partial central hepatectomy was performed. Pathology revealed a smooth-walled, multiloculated cyst lined with mucinous epithelium and ovarian-type stroma. The diagnosis of low-grade mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) was made. Characteristics of MCN-L have not been elucidated due to its rarity.

Declared impact of the US President's statements and campaign statements on Latino populations' perceptions of safety and emergency care access

Statements about building walls, deportation and denying services to undocumented immigrants made during President Trump’s presidential campaign and presidency may induce fear in Latino populations and create barriers to their health care access. To assess how these statements relate to undocumented Latino immigrants’ (UDLI) and Latino legal residents/citizens’ (LLRC) perceptions of safety and their presentations for emergency care, we conducted surveys of adult patients at three county emergency departments (EDs) in California from June 2017 to December 2018. Of 1,684 patients approached, 1,337 (79.4%) agreed to participate: 34.3% UDLI, 36.9% LLRC, and 29.8% non-Latino legal residents/citizens (NLRC). The vast majority of UDLI (95%), LLRC (94%) and NLRC (85%) had heard statements about immigrants. Most UDLI (89%), LLRC (88%) and NLRC (87%) either thought that these measures were being enacted now or will be enacted in the future. Most UDLI and half of LLRC reported that these statements made them feel unsafe living in the US, 75% (95% CI 70–80%) and 51% (95% CI 47–56%), respectively. More UDLI reported that these statements made them afraid to come to the ED (24%, 95% CI 20–28%) vs LLRC (4.4%, 95% CI 3–7%) and NLRC (3.5%, 95% CI 2–6%); 55% of UDLI with this fear stated it caused them to delay coming to the ED (median delay 2–3 days). The vast majority of patients in our California EDs have heard statements during the 2016 presidential campaign or from President Trump about measures against undocumented immigrants, which have induced worry and safety concerns in both UDLI and LLRC patients. Exposure to these statements was also associated with fear of accessing emergency care in some UDLIs. Given California’s sanctuary state status, these safety concerns and ED access fears may be greater in a nationwide population of Latinos.

Combining qSOFA criteria with initial lactate levels: Improved screening of septic patients for critical illness

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the addition of lactate to Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) scoring improves emergency department (ED) screening of septic patients for critical illness.

METHODS

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients admitted to the hospital from the ED with infectious disease-related illnesses. We recorded qSOFA criteria and initial lactate levels in the first 6 h of ED stay. Our primary outcome was a composite of hospital death, vasopressor use, and intensive care unit stay ≤72 h of presentation. Diagnostic test characteristics were determined for: 1) lactate levels ≥2 and ≥4; 2) qSOFA scores ≥1, ≥2, and =3; and 3) combinations of these.

RESULTS

Of 3743 patients, 2584 had a lactate drawn ≤6 h of ED stay and 18% met the primary outcome. The qSOFA scores were ≥1, ≥2, and =3 in 59.2%, 22.0%, and 5.3% of patients, respectively, and 34.4% had a lactate level ≥2 and 7.9% had a lactate level ≥4. The combination of qSOFA ≥1 OR Lactate ≥2 had the highest sensitivity, 94.0% (95% CI: 91.3-95.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of qSOFA ≥1 OR Lactate ≥2 provides substantially improved sensitivity for the screening of critical illness compared to isolated lactate and qSOFA thresholds.

Collecting Unused Medical Supplies in Emergency Departments for Responsible Redistribution

BACKGROUND

Medical supplies and equipment are unevenly distributed throughout the world.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to describe, quantify, and monetize unused supplies suitable for recovery produced from two urban emergency departments (EDs).

METHODS

We trained ED staff to place opened, unused, uncontaminated medical supplies in strategically located bins located in two urban EDs for 30 days. We sorted and quantified collected supplies, then used hospital-specific supply catalogs to determine the total cost of recovered medical supplies during the 30-day study period. We extrapolated the amount of collected medical supplies and associated costs to yearly estimates.

RESULTS

We recovered 39.9 kg ($6,096) from the trauma center and 3.4 kg ($539) from the academic center during the 30-day study period. The most commonly collected supplies included open but unused procedure kits ($1,776), catheter needles ($1,009), and sutures ($698). We estimated that the trauma center produces $73,158 of unused medical supplies per year and the academic center produces $6,467 of unused medical supplies per year.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a novel approach to decreasing waste and recovering usable medical supplies, in which we found that substantial, valuable medical supplies can be recovered in two urban EDs.

Therapeutic Epigenetic Reprogramming of Trained Immunity in Myeloid Cells

Infiltrating and tissue-resident myeloid cells are essential regulators of innate and adaptive immunity. During inflammation, and in response to microbial products, these cells can adapt to microenvironmental conditions and acquire specialized functions, including phagocytosis and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Such myeloid plasticity is driven, in part, by epigenetic dynamics that can sustain stable phenotypes after activation, and which may lead to maladaptive cell polarization states associated with inflammation and autoimmunity. Here, we review recent reports describing epigenetic mechanisms linked to such polarization states and innate immune memory (tolerance and training) in monocyte and macrophage lineages. We discuss how these mechanisms might be targeted to develop putative immunomodulatory tools that might be used to treat a variety of immune-mediated diseases.

Blunt Trauma Abdominal and Pelvic Computed Tomography Has Low Yield for Injuries in More Than One Anatomic Region

Introduction

Most trauma centers order abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) as an automatically paired CT for adult blunt trauma evaluation. However, excessive CT utilization adds risks of excessive exposure to ionizing radiation, the need to work up incidental findings (leading to unnecessary and invasive tests), and greater costs. Examining a cohort of adult blunt trauma patients that received paired abdominal and pelvic (A/P) CT, we sought to determine the diagnostic yield of clinically significant injuries (CSI) in the following: 1) the abdomen alone; 2) the pelvis alone; 3) the lumbosacral spine alone; and 4) more than one of these anatomic regions concomitantly.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we reviewed the imaging and hospital course of a consecutive sample of blunt trauma activation patients older than 14 years of age who received paired A/P CT during their blunt trauma assessments at an urban Level I trauma center from April through October 2014. Categorization of CSI was determined according to an a priori, expert panel-derived classification scheme.

Results

The median age of the 689 patients who had A/P CT was 48 years old; 68.1% were male; 64.0% were admitted, and hospital mortality was 3.6%. CSI yields were as follows: abdomen 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.3–3.6%]); pelvis 2.9% (95% CI [1.9–4.4%]); lumbosacral spine 0.6% (95% CI [0.2–1.5%]); both abdomen and pelvis 0.3% (95% CI [0.1–1.1%]); both the abdomen and lumbosacral spine 0.6% (0.2–1.5%); both the pelvis and lumbosacral spine 0.1% (0.0–0.8%); all three regions – abdomen, pelvis and lumbosacral spine – 0.1% (0.0–0.8%).

Conclusion

Automatic pairing of A/P CT has very low diagnostic yield for CSI in both the abdomen and pelvis. These data suggest a role for selective CT imaging protocols that image these regions individually instead of automatically as a pair.

Utilization of chest CT for injured patients during visits to U.S. emergency departments: 2012-2015

INTRODUCTION

Increased use of computed tomography (CT) during injury-related Emergency Department (ED) visits has been reported, despite increased awareness of CT radiation exposure risks. We investigated national trends in the use of chest CT during injury-related ED visits between 2012 and 2015.

METHODS

Analyzing injury-related ED visits from the 2012-2015 United States (U.S.) National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), we determined the percentage of visits that had a chest CT and the diagnostic yield of these chest CTs for clinically-significant findings. We used survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression to determine which patient and visit characteristics were associated with chest CT use.

RESULTS

Injury-related visits accounted for 30% of the 135 million yearly ED visits represented in NHAMCS. Of these visits, 817,480 (2%) received a chest CT over the study period. The diagnostic yield was 3.88%. Chest CT utilization did not change significantly from a rate of 1.73% in 2012 to a rate of 2.31% in 2015 (p = 0.14). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated increased odds of chest CT for patients seen by residents versus by attendings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-3.08). Patients aged 18-59 and 60+ had higher AORs (5.75, CI 3.44-9.61 and 9.81, CI 5.90-16.33, respectively) than those <18 years of receiving chest CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall chest CT utilization showed an increased trend from 2012 to 2015, but the results were not statistically significant.

Scapular Fractures in the Pan-scan Era

BACKGROUND

Scapular fractures have been traditionally taught to be associated with significant injuries and major morbidity. As we demonstrated with sternal fracture, pulmonary contusion, and rib fracture, increased chest computed tomography (CT) utilization and head-to-pelvis CT (pan-scan) protocols in blunt trauma evaluation, however, may diagnose minor, clinically irrelevant scapular fractures, possibly rendering previous teachings obsolete.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to determine the 1) percentages of scapular fractures seen on chest CT only (SOCTO) versus seen on both chest x-ray (CXR) and CT and of isolated scapular fracture (scapular fracture without other thoracic injuries); 2) frequencies of associated thoracic injury with scapular fracture; and 3) proportion of patients admitted, mortality, hospital length of stay, and injury severity scores (ISS), comparing four patient groups: scapular fracture, nonscapular fracture, scapular fracture SOCTO, and isolated scapular fracture.

METHODS

We conducted a preplanned analysis of patients prospectively enrolled in the NEXUS Chest CT study at nine Level I trauma centers with the following inclusion criteria: age > 14 years, blunt trauma within 6 hours of ED presentation, and receiving chest imaging during ED trauma evaluation.

RESULTS

Of 11,477 subjects, 4,501 (39.2%) patients who had both CXR and chest CT and 2.7% of these had scapular fractures; 60.3% of these were SOCTO and 23 (19.0%) were isolated scapular fracture. The most commonly associated thoracic injuries were rib fracture, pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, and thoracic spine fracture and all injuries were more common in scapular fracture patients than nonscapular fracture patients. Although scapular fracture patients had higher admission rates (86.8% vs. 47.4%; difference in proportions = 39.4% [95% confidence interval {CI} = 32.8% to 44.1%]), ISS (21 vs. 5), and length of stay (9.2 days vs. 5.6 days; mean difference = 3.4 days [95% CI = 2.1 to 4.7 days]) than patients without scapular fracture, their hospital mortality was not significantly different (5.6% vs. 3.0%; difference in proportions = 2.6% [95% CI = -8.2% to 0.3%]; unadjusted odds ratio = 1.9 [95% CI = 0.9 to 4.2]). Patients with scapular fracture SOCTO and isolated scapular fracture had higher admission rates and median ISS than nonscapular fracture patients, but their mortality was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Under current blunt trauma imaging protocols that commonly include chest CT, most scapular fractures are SOCTO and most are associated with other thoracic injuries. Although patients with scapular fracture SOCTO and isolated scapular fracture have higher admission rates and ISS than nonscapular fracture patients, their hospital mortality is similar.

Validation of the Pediatric NEXUS II Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument for Selective Imaging of Pediatric Patients with Blunt Head Trauma

BACKGROUND

Data suggest that clinicians, when evaluating pediatric patients with blunt head trauma, may be overordering head computed tomography (CT). Prior decision instruments (DIs) aimed at aiding clinicians in safely forgoing CTs may be paradoxically increasing CT utilization. This study evaluated a novel DI that aims for high sensitivity while also improving specificity over prior instruments.

METHODS

We conducted a planned secondary analysis of the NEXUS Head CT DI among patients less than 18 years old. The rule required patients satisfy seven criteria to achieve "low-risk" classification. Patients were assigned "high-risk" status if they fail to meet one or more criteria. Our primary outcome was the ability of the rule to identify all patients requiring neurosurgical intervention.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 1,018 blunt head injury pediatric patients. The DI assigned high-risk status to 27 of 27 patients requiring neurosurgical intervention (sensitivity = 100.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 87.2%-100%]). The instrument assigned low-risk status to 330 of 991 patients who did not require neurosurgical intervention (specificity = 33.3%, 95% CI = 30.3%-36.3%). None of the 991 low-risk patients required neurosurgical intervention (negative predictive value [NPV] = 100%, 95% CI = 99.6%-100%). The DI correctly assigned high-risk status to 48 of the 49 patients with significant intracranial injuries, yielding a sensitivity of 98.0% (95% CI = 89.1%-99.9%). The instrument assigned low-risk status to 329 of 969 patients who did not have significant injuries to yield a specificity of 34.0% (95% CI = 31.0%-37.0%). Significant injuries were absent in 329 of the 330 patients assigned low-risk status to yield a NPV of 99.7% (95% CI = 98.3%-100%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pediatric NEXUS Head CT DI reliably identifies blunt trauma patients who require head CT imaging and could significantly reduce the use of CT imaging.

Comparison of qSOFA with current emergency department tools for screening of patients with sepsis for critical illness

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis criteria and lactate levels for their ability to identify ED patients with sepsis with critical illness.

METHODS

We conducted this multicenter retrospective cohort study at five US hospitals, enrolling all adult patients admitted to these hospitals from their EDs with infectious disease-related illnesses from 1 January 2016 to 30 April 2016. We abstracted clinical variables for SIRS, severe sepsis and qSOFA scores, using values in the first 6 hours of ED stay. Our primary outcome was critical illness, defined as one or more of the composite outcomes of death, vasopressor use or intensive care unit (ICU) admission within 72 hours of presentation. We determined diagnostic test characteristics for qSOFA scores, SIRS, severe sepsis criteria and lactate level thresholds.

MAIN RESULTS

Of 3743 enrolled patients, 512 (13.7%) had the primary composite outcome. The qSOFA scores were ≥1, >2 and 3 in 1839 (49.1%), 626 (16.7%) and 146 (3.9%) patients, respectively; 2202 (58.8%) met SIRS criteria and 1085 (29.0%) met severe sepsis criteria. qSOFA ≥1 and SIRS had similarly high sensitivity [86.1% (95% CI 82.8% to 89.0%) vs 86.7% (95% CI 83.5% to 89.5%)], but qSOFA ≥1 had higher specificity [56.7% (95% CI 55.0% to 58.5%) vs 45.6% (43.9% to 47.3%); mean difference 11.1% (95% CI 8.7% to 13.6%)]. qSOFA ≥2 had higher specificity than severe sepsis criteria [89.1% (88.0% to 90.2%) vs 77.5% (76.0% to 78.9%); mean difference 11.6% (9.8% to 13.4%)]. qSOFA ≥1 had greater sensitivity than a lactate level ≥2 (mean difference 24.6% (19.2% to 29.9%)).

CONCLUSION

For patients admitted from the ED with infectious disease diagnoses, qSOFA criteria performed as well or better than SIRS criteria, severe sepsis criteria and lactate levels in predicting critical illness.

Low Yield of Paired Head and Cervical Spine Computed Tomography in Blunt Trauma Evaluation

BACKGROUND

With increased computed tomography (CT) utilization, clinicians may simultaneously order head and neck CT scans, even when injury is suspected only in one region.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine: 1) the frequency of simultaneous ordering of a head CT scan when a neck CT scan is ordered; 2) the yields of simultaneously ordered head and neck CT scans for clinically significant injury (CSI); and 3) whether injury in one region is associated with a higher rate of injury in the other.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all adult patients who received neck CT scans (and simultaneously ordered head CT scans) as part of their blunt trauma evaluation at an urban level 1 trauma center in 2013. An expert panel determined CSI of head and neck injuries. We defined yield as number of patients with injury/number of patients who had a CT scan.

RESULTS

Of 3223 patients who met inclusion criteria, 2888 (89.6%) had simultaneously ordered head and neck CT scans. CT yield for CSI in both the head and neck was 0.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-0.8%), and the yield for any injury in both the head and neck was 1.4% (95% CI 1.0-1.8%). The yield for CSI in one region was higher when CSI was seen in the other region.

CONCLUSIONS

The yield of CT for CSI in both the head and neck concomitantly is very low. When injury is seen in one region, there is higher likelihood of injury in the other. These findings argue against paired ordering of head and neck CT scans and suggest that CT scans should be ordered individually or when injury is detected in one region.

Hemoptysis? Try Inhaled Tranexamic Acid

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic anti-fibrinolytic agent used to prevent and treat various bleeding complications. In many studies, investigators have evaluated its utility and safety orally, intravenously, and topically, but few studies have described the potential benefits of nebulized TXA.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of massive hemoptysis treated with nebulized TXA in the emergency department (ED) that led to the cessation of bleeding and avoidance of endotracheal intubation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: In massive hemoptysis, rapidly available nebulized TXA may be considered a therapeutic option, serving either as primary therapy or as a bridge until other definitive therapies can be arranged.

Low Yield of Clinically Significant Injury With Head-To-Pelvis Computed Tomography in Blunt Trauma Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Many trauma centers have adopted routine head-to-pelvis computed tomography (CT) imaging for the evaluation of adults with blunt trauma.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the yields of detecting clinically significant injuries (CSIs) with CT in >1 anatomic region.

METHODS

We conducted this observational cohort study of all trauma activation patients >14 years of age who received CT imaging during blunt trauma evaluation at a Level 1 trauma center from April to October 2014. Expert panels determined the clinical significance of head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis injuries seen on CT. We calculated yields of CSI, defined as the number of patients with CSI divided by the total number of patients who underwent CT imaging. The 3 specified anatomic regions considered were head/neck, chest, and abdomen/pelvis.

RESULTS

The median age of 1236 patients who had CT was 48 years; 69% were male; 51.2% were admitted; and hospital mortality was 4.4%. Yields of CSI with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were: head/neck region injury 11.3% (9.6-13.3%); chest region injury only 7.9% (6.0-10.4%); abdomen/pelvis region injury only 5.1% (3.7-7.0%); both head/neck and chest CSI 2.8% (1.7-4.5%); both head/neck and abdomen/pelvis CSI 1.6% (0.9-2.9%); and both chest and abdomen/pelvis CSI 1.1% (0.5-2.4%). The yield of CSI in all 3 anatomic regions with head-to-pelvis CT was 0.6% (0.2-1.7%), and 76.7% (68.8-83.1%) of CSIs occurred in isolation.

CONCLUSIONS

During multiple anatomic region CT imagng for adult blunt trauma evaluation, the yield for CSI in >1 region is low. In low-risk populations, selective CT imaging of anatomic regions (instead of reflexive head-to-pelvis CT imaging) may be more appropriate.

BET Proteins: An Approach to Future Therapies in Transplantation

In order to develop new efficient therapies for organ transplantation, it is essential to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and processes, such as immune activation, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, which lead to rejection and long-term graft loss. Recent efforts have shed some light on the epigenetic regulation associated with these processes. In this context, the bromo and extraterminal (BET) family of bromodomain proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT) have emerged as major epigenetic players, connecting chromatin structure with gene expression changes. These proteins recognize acetylated lysines in histones and master transcription factors to recruit regulatory complex and, finally, modify the transcriptional program. Recent studies indicate that BET proteins are essential in the NF-kB-mediated inflammatory response, during the activation and differentiation of Th17-immune cells, and in profibrotic processes. Here, we review this new body of data and highlight the efficiency of BET inhibitors in several models of diseases. The promising results obtained from these preclinical models indicate that it may be time to translate these outcomes to the transplantation field, where epigenetics will be of increasing value in the coming years.

Rib Fracture Diagnosis in the Panscan Era

STUDY OBJECTIVE

With increased use of chest computed tomography (CT) in trauma evaluation, traditional teachings in regard to rib fracture morbidity and mortality may no longer be accurate. We seek to determine rates of rib fracture observed on chest CT only; admission and mortality of patients with isolated rib fractures, rib fractures observed on CT only, and first or second rib fractures; and first or second rib fracture-associated great vessel injury.

METHODS

We conducted a planned secondary analysis of 2 prospectively enrolled cohorts of the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study chest studies, which evaluated patients with blunt trauma who were older than 14 years and received chest imaging in the emergency department. We defined rib fractures and other thoracic injuries according to CT reports and followed patients through their hospital course to determine outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 8,661 patients who had both chest radiograph and chest CT, 2,071 (23.9%) had rib fractures, and rib fractures were observed on chest CT only in 1,368 cases (66.1%). Rib fracture patients had higher admission rates (88.7% versus 45.8%; mean difference 42.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 41.4% to 44.4%) and mortality (5.6% versus 2.7%; mean difference 2.9%; 95% CI 1.8% to 4.0%) than patients without rib fracture. The mortality of patients with rib fracture observed on chest CT only was not statistically significantly different from that of patients with fractures also observed on chest radiograph (4.8% versus 5.7%; mean difference -0.9%; 95% CI -3.1% to 1.1%). Patients with first or second rib fractures had significantly higher mortality (7.4% versus 4.1%; mean difference 3.3%; 95% CI 0.2% to 7.1%) and prevalence of concomitant great vessel injury (2.8% versus 0.6%; mean difference 2.2%; 95% CI 0.6% to 4.9%) than patients with fractures of ribs 3 to 12, and the odds ratio of great vessel injury with first or second rib fracture was 4.4 (95% CI 1.8 to 10.4).

CONCLUSION

Under trauma imaging protocols that commonly incorporate chest CT, two thirds of rib fractures were observed on chest CT only. Patients with rib fractures had higher admission rates and mortality than those without rib fractures. First or second rib fractures were associated with significantly higher mortality and great vessel injury.

Low yield of blood and wound cultures in patients with skin and soft-tissue infections

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend blood cultures in skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) patients only with signs of systemic toxicity and wound cultures for severe purulent infections. Our objectives were to determine: 1) blood and wound culture yields in patients admitted with SSTIs; 2) whether injection drug users (IDUs) and febrile patients had higher blood culture yields; and 3) whether blood and wound cultures grew organisms sensitive to typical SSTI empiric antibiotics.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled adult patients admitted from the ED with SSTIs at an urban hospital. We recorded patient characteristics, including IDU, comorbidities and temperatures, and followed admitted patients throughout their hospital course.

RESULTS

Of 734 SSTI patients enrolled, 246 (33.5%) were admitted. Of 86 (35.0%) patients who had blood cultures, six had positive cultures (yield=7.0%; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 3.2-14.4); 4 were methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and 2 were methicillin resistant (MRSA). Of 29 febrile patients, 1 had a positive culture (yield=3.5%; 95% CI 0.6-17.2). Of 101 admitted IDU patients, 46 (46%) received blood cultures, and 4 had positive cultures (yield=8.7%; 95% CI 3.4-20.3). Of 89 patients with purulent wounds, 44 (49.4%) patients had ED wound cultures. Thirteen had positive cultures (yield=29.6%; 95% CI 18.2-44.2%). Most were MRSA, MSSA, and group A Streptococcus species - all sensitive to Vancomycin.

CONCLUSIONS

Febrile and IDU patients had low yields of blood cultures similar to yields in non-IDU and afebrile patients. All blood and wound culture species were adequately covered by currently recommended empiric antibiotic regimens.

Feasibility of Informed Consent for Computed Tomography in Acute Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT) is common for trauma victims, but is usually done without informing patients of potential risks or obtaining informed consent.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of two elements (time and normal level of alertness) necessary for informed consent for CT in adult trauma patients.

METHODS

We conducted this prospective observational, two-phase cohort study at two urban, Level I trauma centers. In the first phase, we determined the median time needed to obtain informed consent for CT by performing sham consent on 11 injured patients at each site. In the second phase, we observed all adult trauma activation cases that presented during specified time blocks and recorded Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and the time available for consent (TAC) for CT-defined as the time between the end of the secondary trauma survey and when the patient left the resuscitation room to go to CT. We defined, a priori, feasible consent cases as those in which the patient had a GCS of 15 and a TAC greater than the median sham consent time at that site.

RESULTS

The median times for sham CT consent at the two sites were 3:36 and 2:09 minutes:seconds (range = 1:12-4:54). Of the 729 trauma patients enrolled during phase II, 646 (89%) had a CT scan, and of these 646 patients, 461 (71.4% [95% confidence interval = 67.8%- 74.7%]) met feasible consent criteria. Of the 185 patients who failed to meet feasible consent criteria, 171 (92.4%) had a GCS < 15, one (0.5%) had a TAC less than the sham consent time, and 13 (7.0%) had both.

CONCLUSION

We found that informed consent for CT was likely feasible in over two-thirds of acute, adult trauma patients.

Derivation of decision rules to predict clinically important outcomes in acute flank pain patients

OBJECTIVE

Routine CT for patients with acute flank pain has not been shown to improve patient outcomes, and it may unnecessarily expose patients to radiation and increased costs. As preliminary steps toward the development of a guideline for selective CT, we sought to determine the prevalence of clinically important outcomes in patients with acute flank pain and derive preliminary decision rules.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a randomized trial of CT vs. ultrasonography for patients with acute flank pain from 15 EDs between October 2011 and February 2013. Clinically important outcomes were defined as inpatient admission for ureteral stones and alternative diagnoses. Clinically important stones were defined as stones requiring urologic intervention. We sought to derive highly sensitive decision rules for both outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 2759 participants, 236 (8.6%) had a clinically important outcome and 143 (5.2%) had a clinically important stone. A CDR including anemia (hemoglobin <13.2g/dl), WBC count >11000/μl, age>42years, and the absence of CVAT had a sensitivity of 97.9% (95% CI 94.8-99.2%) and specificity of 18.7% (95% 17.2-20.2%) for clinically important outcome. A CDR including hydronephrosis, prior history of stone, and WBC count <8300/μl had a sensitivity of 98.6% (95% CI 94.5-99.7%) and specificity of 26.0% (95% 24.2-27.7%) for clinically important stone.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined the prevalence of clinically important outcomes in patients with acute flank pain, and derived preliminary high sensitivity CDRs that predict them. Validation of CDRs with similar test characteristics would require prospective enrollment of 2100 patients.

Correlation of Physical Exam Findings with Fever in Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Introduction

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of fever in adult ED patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and to determine which, if any, physical exam, radiograph and laboratory test findings were associated with fever.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study at an urban county trauma center of adults who presented to the ED for evaluation of suspected SSTI. ED providers measured area of erythema and induration using a tape measure, and completed data sheets indicating comorbid conditions and the presence or absence of physical exam findings. Fever was defined as any recorded temperature ≥ 38°C during the first six hours of ED evaluation.

Results

Of the 734 patients enrolled, 96 (13.1%) had fever. Physical and laboratory exam findings associated with the presence of a fever in multivariable logistic regression were the area of erythema, particularly the largest quartile of area of erythema, 144 – 5,000 cm², (odd ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.6 – 5.2]) and leukocytosis (OR = 4.4, 95% CI [2.7 – 7.0]). Bullae, necrosis, streaks, adenopathy, and bone involvement on imaging were not associated with fever.

Conclusion

Fever is uncommon in patients presenting to the ED for evaluation of suspected SSTI. Area of erythema and leukocytosis were associated with fever and should be considered in future decision rules for the evaluation and treatment of SSTI.

Selective chest imaging for blunt trauma patients: The national emergency X-ray utilization studies (NEXUS-chest algorithm)

Chest imaging plays a prominent role in blunt trauma patient evaluation, but indiscriminate imaging is expensive, may delay care, and unnecessarily exposes patients to potentially harmful ionizing radiation. To improve diagnostic chest imaging utilization, we conducted 3 prospective multicenter studies over 12years to derive and validate decision instruments (DIs) to guide the use of chest x-ray (CXR) and chest computed tomography (CT). The first DI, NEXUS Chest x-ray, consists of seven criteria (Age >60years; rapid deceleration mechanism; chest pain; intoxication; altered mental status; distracting painful injury; and chest wall tenderness) and exhibits a sensitivity of 99.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 98.2-99.4%) and a specificity of 13.3% (95% CI, 12.6%-14.0%) for detecting clinically significant injuries. We developed two NEXUS Chest CT DIs, which are both highly reliable in detecting clinically major injuries (sensitivity of 99.2%; 95% CI 95.4-100%). Designed primarily to focus on detecting major injuries, the NEXUS Chest CT-Major DI consists of six criteria (abnormal CXR; distracting injury; chest wall tenderness; sternal tenderness; thoracic spine tenderness; and scapular tenderness) and exhibits higher specificity (37.9%; 95% CI 35.8-40.1%). Designed to reliability detect both major and minor injuries (sensitivity 95.4%; 95% CI 93.6-96.9%) with resulting lower specificity (25.5%; 95% CI 23.5-27.5%), the NEXUS CT-All rule consists of seven elements (the six NEXUS CT-Major criteria plus rapid deceleration mechanism). The purpose of this review is to synthesize the three DIs into a novel, cohesive summary algorithm with practical implementation recommendations to guide selective chest imaging in adult blunt trauma patients.

Prevalence and Diagnostic Performance of Isolated and Combined NEXUS Chest CT Decision Criteria

OBJECTIVES

The use of chest computed tomography (CT) to evaluate emergency department patients with adult blunt trauma is rising. The NEXUS Chest CT decision instruments are highly sensitive identifiers of adult blunt trauma patients with thoracic injuries. However, many patients without injury exhibit one of more of the criteria so cannot be classified "low risk." We sought to determine screening performance of both individual and combined NEXUS Chest CT criteria as predictors of thoracic injury to inform chest CT imaging decisions in "non-low-risk" patients.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of data on patients in the derivation and validation cohorts of the prospective, observational NEXUS Chest CT study, performed September 2011 to May 2014 in 11 Level I trauma centers. Institutional review board approval was obtained at all study sites. Adult blunt trauma patients receiving chest CT were included. The primary outcome was injury and major clinical injury prevalence and screening performance in patients with combinations of one, two, or three of seven individual NEXUS Chest CT criteria.

RESULTS

Across the 11 study sites, rates of chest CT performance ranged from 15.5% to 77.2% (median = 43.6%). We found injuries in 1,493/5,169 patients (28.9%) who had chest CT; 269 patients (5.2%) had major clinical injury (e.g., pneumothorax requiring chest tube). With sensitivity of 73.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 68.1 to 78.6) and specificity of 83.9 (95% CI = 83.6 to 84.2) for major clinical injury, abnormal chest-x-ray (CXR) was the single most important screening criterion. When patients had only abnormal CXR, injury and major clinical injury prevalences were 60.7% (95% CI = 52.2% to 68.6%) and 12.9% (95% CI = 8.3% to 19.4%), respectively. Injury and major clinical injury prevalences when any other single criterion alone (other than abnormal CXR) was present were 16.8% (95% CI = 15.2% to 18.6%) and 1.1% (95% CI = 0.1% to 1.8%), respectively. Injury and major clinical injury prevalences among patients when two and three criteria (not abnormal CXR) were present were 25.5% (95% CI = 23.1% to 28.0%) and 3.2% (95% CI = 2.3% to 4.4%) and 34.9% (95% CI = 31.0% to 39.0%) and 2.7% (95% CI = 1.6% to 4.5%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that clinicians check for the six clinical NEXUS Chest CT criteria and review the CXR (if obtained). If patients have one clinical criterion (other than abnormal CXR), they will have a very low risk of clinically major injury. We recommend that clinicians discuss the potential risks and benefit of chest CT in these cases. The risks of injury and major clinical injury rise incrementally with more criteria, rendering the risk/benefit ratio toward performing CT in most cases. If the patient has an abnormal CXR, the risks of major clinical injury and minor injury are considerably higher than with the other criteria-chest CT may be indicated in cases requiring greater anatomic detail and injury characterization.

Pulmonary contusion in the pan-scan era

BACKGROUND

Although pulmonary contusion (PC) is traditionally considered a major injury requiring intensive monitoring, more frequent detection by chest CT in blunt trauma evaluation may diagnose clinically irrelevant PC.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine (1) the frequency of PC diagnosis by chest CT versus chest X-ray (CXR), (2) the frequency of PC-associated thoracic injuries, and (3) PC patient clinical outcomes (mortality, length of stay [LOS], and need for mechanical ventilation), considering patients with PC seen on chest CT only (SOCTO) and isolated PC (PC without other thoracic injury).

METHODS

Focusing primarily on patients who had both CXR and chest CT, we conducted a pre-planned analysis of two prospectively enrolled cohorts with the following inclusion criteria: age >14 years, blunt trauma within 24h of emergency department presentation, and receiving CXR or chest CT during trauma evaluation. We defined PC and other thoracic injuries according to CT reports and followed patients through their hospital course to determine clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 21,382 enrolled subjects, 8661 (40.5%) had both CXR and chest CT and 1012 (11.7%) of these had PC, making it the second most common injury after rib fracture. PC was SOCTO in 739 (73.0%). Most (73.5%) PC patients had other thoracic injury. PC patients had higher admission rates (91.9% versus 61.7%; mean difference 30.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 28.1-32.1%) and mortality (4.7% versus 2.0%: mean difference 2.8%; 95% CI 1.6-4.3%) than non-PC patients, but mortality was restricted to patients with other injuries (injury severity scores>10). Patients with PC SOCTO had low rates of associated mechanical ventilation (4.6%) and patients with isolated PC SOCTO had low mortality (2.6%), comparable to that of patients without PC.

CONCLUSIONS

PC is commonly diagnosed under current blunt trauma imaging protocols and most PC are SOCTO with other thoracic injury. Given that they are associated with low mortality and uncommon need for mechanical ventilation, isolated PC and PC SOCTO may be of limited clinical significance.