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Lee WH, O'Brien S, McKinnon E, Collin M, Dalziel SR, Craig SS, Borland ML. Study of pediatric appendicitis scores and management strategies: A prospective observational feasibility study. Acad Emerg Med 2024. [PMID: 39021271 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate the feasibility of prospectively validating multiple clinical prediction scores (CPSs) for pediatric appendicitis in an Australian pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS A literature search was conducted to identify potential CPSs and a single-center prospective observational feasibility study was performed between November 2022 and May 2023 to evaluate the performance of identified CPSs. Children 5-15 years presenting with acute right-sided or generalized abdominal pain and clinician suspicion of appendicitis were included. CPSs were calculated by the study team from prospectively clinician-collected data and/or review of medical records. Accuracy of CPSs were assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and proportions correctly identifiable as either low-risk or high-risk with the best performing CPS compared to clinician gestalt. Final diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed on histopathology or by telephone/email follow-up for those discharged directly from ED. RESULTS Thirty CPSs were identified in the literature search and 481 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 150 (31.2%) patients underwent appendectomy with three (2.0%) having a normal appendix on histopathology. All identified CPSs were calculable for at least 50% of the patient cohort. The pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator for pediatric EDs (pARC-ED; n = 317) was the best performing CPS with AUC 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.94) and specificity 99.0% (95% CI 96.4%-99.7%) in diagnosing high-risk cases and a misclassification rate of 4.5% for low-risk cases. CONCLUSIONS The study identified 30 CPSs that could be validated in a majority of patients to compare their ability to assess risk of pediatric appendicitis. The pARC-ED had the highest predictive accuracy and can potentially assist in risk stratification of children with suspected appendicitis in pediatric EDs. A multicenter study is now under way to evaluate the potential of these CPSs in a broader range of EDs to aid clinical decision making in more varied settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hao Lee
- Emergency Department, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Division of Paediatrics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sharon O'Brien
- Emergency Department, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Michael Collin
- Department of Surgery, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stuart R Dalziel
- Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Surgery, Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Emergency Department, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon S Craig
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Paediatric Emergency Department, Monash Medical Centre, Emergency Service, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meredith L Borland
- Emergency Department, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Division of Paediatrics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Scheijmans JCG, Bom WJ, Deniz RS, van Geloven AAW, Boermeester MA. Diagnostic accuracy of doctors at the emergency department and radiologists in differentiating between complicated and uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024; 50:837-845. [PMID: 38228896 PMCID: PMC11249706 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-023-02442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the accuracy of final judgements of doctors at the emergency department (ED) and radiologists to differentiate between complicated and uncomplicated acute appendicitis, because these have different treatment options. METHODS This prospective, multicenter study included adult patients with imaging-confirmed acute appendicitis, operated with intention to appendectomy. Both doctors at ED and radiologists assessed appendicitis severity as a final judgement of "uncomplicated" or "complicated" appendicitis. Doctors at ED integrated clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. Radiologists relied solely on imaging findings. Outcomes were accuracy of these judgements for diagnosis of complicated appendicitis compared to the reference standard by an adjudication committee. RESULTS After imaging, 1070 patients with confirmed acute appendicitis were included. Doctors at ED accurately labelled 656 of 701 (93.6%) patients with true uncomplicated appendicitis as uncomplicated, and 163 of 369 (44.2%) patients with true complicated appendicitis were labelled as complicated. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for complicated appendicitis were 44.2%, 93.6%, and 78.4% and 76.1%, respectively. Comparable accuracy was found for the radiologist's assessment in 941 patients, with true positive rates of 92.2% (581 of 630 patients) for uncomplicated appendicitis and 46.6% (145 of 311 patients) for complicated appendicitis. CONCLUSION More than half of all patients with true complicated appendicitis is incorrectly classified as uncomplicated appendicitis according to the judgements of doctors at ED, integrating clinical, laboratory, and imaging results, and of radiologists assessing diagnostic imaging. These judgements are thereby not sufficiently reliable in ruling out complicated appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem C G Scheijmans
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wouter J Bom
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rabia S Deniz
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marja A Boermeester
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Rees CA, Kisenge R, Ideh RC, Kamara J, Coleman YJ, Samma A, Godfrey E, Manji HK, Sudfeld CR, Westbrook AL, Niescierenko M, Morris CR, Whitney CG, Breiman RF, Manji KP, Duggan CP. Predictive value of clinician impression for readmission and postdischarge mortality among neonates and young children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Monrovia, Liberia. BMJ Paediatr Open 2023; 7:e001972. [PMID: 37385735 PMCID: PMC10314694 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-001972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are no validated clinical decision aids to identify neonates and young children at risk of hospital readmission or postdischarge mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, leaving the decision to discharge a child to a clinician's impression. Our objective was to determine the precision of clinician impression to identify neonates and young children at risk for readmission and postdischarge mortality. METHODS We conducted a survey study nested in a prospective observational cohort of neonates and children aged 1-59 months followed 60 days after hospital discharge from Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, Liberia. Clinicians who discharged each enrolled patient were surveyed to determine their perceived probability of the patient's risk of 60-day hospital readmission or postdischarge mortality. We calculated the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) to determine the precision of clinician impression for both outcomes. RESULTS Of 4247 discharged patients, 3896 (91.7%) had available clinician surveys and 3847 (98.7%) had 60-day outcomes available: 187 (4.8%) were readmitted and 120 (3.1%) died within 60 days of hospital discharge. Clinician impression had poor precision in identifying neonates and young children at risk of hospital readmission (AUPRC: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.08) and postdischarge mortality (AUPRC: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.08). Patients for whom clinicians attributed inability to pay for future medical treatment as the reason for risk for unplanned hospital readmission had 4.76 times the odds hospital readmission (95% CI: 1.31 to 17.25, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Given the poor precision of clinician impression alone to identify neonates and young children at risk of hospital readmission and postdischarge mortality, validated clinical decision aids are needed to aid in the identification of young children at risk for these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris A Rees
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emergency Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rodrick Kisenge
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Readon C Ideh
- Department of Pediatrics, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Julia Kamara
- Department of Pediatrics, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Ye-Jeung Coleman
- Department of Pediatrics, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Abraham Samma
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Evance Godfrey
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Hussein K Manji
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Accident and Emergency Department, The Aga Khan Health Services, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Christopher R Sudfeld
- Departments of Nutrition and Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrianna L Westbrook
- Pediatric Biostatistics Core, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michelle Niescierenko
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claudia R Morris
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emergency Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cynthia G Whitney
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert F Breiman
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karim P Manji
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Christopher P Duggan
- Departments of Nutrition and Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Nutrition, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Tong L, Nataraja RM, VanHaltren K, Sulaksana TH, Vinycomb TI, Pacilli M. The utility of sonographic signs to diagnose simple and complicated appendicitis in children. Pediatr Surg Int 2023; 39:114. [PMID: 36764977 PMCID: PMC9918567 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05397-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is classified into simple (SA) and complicated (CA). Ultrasound scans (USS) can be useful in clinically equivocal cases, by visualising primary and secondary signs. This study explores the utility of sonographic signs to diagnose and differentiate appendicitis in children. METHODS Single-centre retrospective cohort study over a 2-year period. Consecutive USS for suspected appendicitis were included; sonographic signs were extracted from standardised institutional worksheets. USS results were compared with pre-defined intraoperative criteria for SA and CA, confirmed with histological analysis. Data are reported as median [interquartile range], percentages (number), area under the curve (AUC), conventional diagnostic formulae and adjusted odds ratios following multiple logistic regression (p < 0.05 considered significant). RESULTS A total of 934 USS were included, with median age 10.7 [8.0-13.4] years, majority were female (54%). One quarter (n = 226) had SA, 12% (n = 113) had CA, 61% (n = 571) had no appendectomy and 3% (n = 24) had negative appendicectomy. Appendix visualisation rate on USS was 61% (n = 569), with 62% (n = 580) having a conclusive report. Sonographic signs suggesting appendicitis included an appendiceal diameter > 7 mm (AUC 0.92, [95% CI: 0.90-0.94]), an appendicolith (p = 0.003), hyperaemia (p = 0.001), non-compressibility (p = 0.029) and no luminal gas (p = 0.004). Secondary sonographic signs included probe tenderness (p < 0.001) and peri-appendiceal echogenic fat (p < 0.001). Sonographic signs suggesting CA over SA comprised a diameter > 10.1 mm (AUC 0.63, [95% CI: 0.57-0.69]), an appendicolith (p = 0.003) and peri-appendiceal fluid (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION Presence of specific sonographic signs can aid diagnosis and differentiation of simple and complicated appendicitis in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Tong
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ramesh M Nataraja
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Monash Children's Hospital, Level 5, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Keith VanHaltren
- Department of Paediatric Radiology, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania H Sulaksana
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Monash Children's Hospital, Level 5, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Toby I Vinycomb
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Monash Children's Hospital, Level 5, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Maurizio Pacilli
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Monash Children's Hospital, Level 5, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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Mangus CW, Mahajan P. Decision Making: Healthy Heuristics and Betraying Biases. Crit Care Clin 2021; 38:37-49. [PMID: 34794630 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Critical care settings are unpredictable, dynamic environments where clinicians face high decision density in suboptimal conditions (stress, time constraints, competing priorities). Experts have described two systems of human decision making: one fast and intuitive; the other slow and methodical. Heuristics, or mental shortcuts, a key feature of intuitive reasoning, are often accurate, applied instinctively, and essential for efficient diagnostic decision making. Heuristics are also prone to failures, or cognitive biases, which can lead to diagnostic errors. A variety of strategies have been proposed to mitigate biases; however, current understanding of such interventions to optimize diagnostic safety is still incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney W Mangus
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, 1540 East Hospital Drive, CW 2-737, SPC 4260, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-4260, USA.
| | - Prashant Mahajan
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, 1540 East Hospital Drive, CW 2-737, SPC 4260, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-4260, USA
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Sheele JM, Lalljie AV, Fletcher S, Heckman M, Hochwald A, Simon LV. Ability of emergency medicine clinicians to predict COVID-19 in their patients. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 56:329-331. [PMID: 34509327 PMCID: PMC8414838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan M Sheele
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Albertha V Lalljie
- Department of Research Trainee, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Sheena Fletcher
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Michael Heckman
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Alex Hochwald
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Leslie V Simon
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
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Simon LE, Kene MV, Warton EM, Rauchwerger AS, Vinson DR, Reed ME, Chettipally UK, Mark DG, Sax DR, McLachlan DI, Cotton DM, Lin JS, Vazquez-Benitez G, Kharbanda AB, Kharbanda EO, Ballard DW. Diagnostic Performance of Emergency Physician Gestalt for Predicting Acute Appendicitis in Patients Age 5 to 20 Years. Acad Emerg Med 2020; 27:821-831. [PMID: 32239713 PMCID: PMC8310728 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pediatric appendicitis remains a challenging diagnosis in the emergency department (ED). Available risk prediction algorithms may contribute to excessive ED imaging studies. Incorporation of physician gestalt assessment could help refine predictive tools and improve diagnostic imaging decisions. METHODS This study was a subanalysis of a parent study that prospectively enrolled patients ages 5 to 20.9 years with a chief complaint of abdominal pain presenting to 11 community EDs within an integrated delivery system between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2018. Prior to diagnostic imaging, attending emergency physicians enrolled patients with ≤5 days of right-sided or diffuse abdominal pain using a Web-based application embedded in the electronic health record. Predicted risk (gestalt) of acute appendicitis was prospectively entered using a sliding scale from 1% to 100%. As a planned secondary analysis, we assessed the performance of gestalt via c-statistics of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves; tested associations between gestalt performance and patient, physician, and facility characteristics; and examined clinical characteristics affecting gestalt estimates. RESULTS Of 3,426 patients, 334 (9.8%) had confirmed appendicitis. Physician gestalt had excellent ROC curve characteristics (c-statistic = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.81 to 0.85), performing particularly well in the low-risk strata (appendicitis rate = 1.1% in gestalt 1%-10% range, negative predictive value of 98.9% for appendicitis diagnosis). Physicians with ≥5 years since medical school graduation demonstrated improved gestalt performance over those with less experience (p = 0.007). All clinical characteristics tested, except pain <24 hours, were significantly associated with physician gestalt value (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Physician gestalt for acute appendicitis diagnosis performed well, especially in low-risk patients and when employed by experienced physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Simon
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | - Mamata V. Kene
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center, San Leandro, CA
| | | | | | - David R. Vinson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, Roseville, CA
| | - Mary E. Reed
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Uli K. Chettipally
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Dustin G. Mark
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA
| | - Dana R. Sax
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA
| | - D. Ian McLachlan
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Dale M. Cotton
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
| | - James S. Lin
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, Santa Clara, CA
| | | | | | | | - Dustin W. Ballard
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center, San Rafael, CA
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