Abdominal Arterial Translation in Lower Lumbar Spine Level Due to Positional Change: A Clinical Survey Using Intraoperative Computed Tomography

Background: Abdominal vascular injury, a fatal complication of lumbar disc surgery, should concern spine surgeons. This study aimed to compare the position of the abdominal arteries in the supine and prone positions and the factors involved. Thirty patients who underwent lumbar surgery by posterior approach were included. Methods: All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the supine position and intraoperatively in the prone position. In the CT axial image, at the L4, L4/5 disc, L5, and L5/S1 disc level, we measured the shortest distance between the abdominal arteries and the vertebral body (SDA: shortest distance to the aorta), and the amount of abdominal arterial translation, defined as "SDA on intraoperative CT" minus "SDA on preoperative CT". Additionally, the preoperative CT axial images were evaluated for the presence of aortic calcification. Results: No significant difference in SDA values based on patients' positions was observed at each level. In males, the supine position brought the abdominal artery significantly closer to the spine at the left side of the L5/S level (p = 0.037), and, in cases of calcification of the abdominal artery, the abdominal artery was found to be closer to the spine at the left side of the L4/5 level (p = 0.026). Conclusions: It is important to confirm preoperative images correctly to prevent great vessel injuries in lumbar spine surgery using a posterior approach.

The impact of oral anticoagulants on the characteristics of subdural hematomas and other brain lesions in patients with traumatic brain injury

Background and aim

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of prior anticoagulant treatment on the characteristics of intracranial hematomas.

Methods

We included in this retrospective study 135 patients who were diagnosed with subdural hematoma in the context of traumatic brain injury. We recorded the demographic and clinical data, the paraclinical examinations and the characteristics of subdural hematoma evidenced by preoperative computed tomography (CT). We also reported the other brain injuries, entailed by primary and secondary lesions, as described by CT.

Results

The anticoagulation therapy was recorded in 35 patients, at the moment of diagnosis. Acute subdural hematoma was recorded in 89 (65.9%) patients, 21 (60%) of these had anticoagulation therapy on admission. There were 46 (34.1%) patients with chronic subdural hematoma, 14 (40%) of these were on anticoagulant therapy. The midline shift was significantly moved in patients with anticoagulation therapy. The thickness of the subdural hematoma was significantly higher in patients with anticoagulation. We did not find any significant association of the other brain lesions (cranial fracture, extradural hematoma, intraparenchymal hematoma, nor intracranial hypertension, brain herniation, brain swelling), and the presence of anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusion

The study showed that anticoagulants significantly influence some neuroimaging aspects of the SDH in head trauma.

Ovarian transmigration of intrauterine device

Extrauterine translocation of intrauterine device (IUD) to peritoneal cavity is an uncommon event, moreover the ovarian embedding of a transmigrated IUD is very rare, and only two previous cases have been reported in the literature. We present a single case treated with laparoscopy. The aims of this study were to focus attention on the utility of preoperative computed tomography in planning the best surgical approach and to describe the two-port technique.

Institutional review of patients presenting with suspected appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Appendicitis is a common gastrointestinal surgical emergency. Treatment balances the risks of negative appendicectomy (NA) against potential complicated appendicitis in determining clinical priority. This study reviewed the population characteristics, results of the diagnostic modalities and Alvarado score (AlvS) of patients with suspected appendicitis.

METHODS

A clinical audit of emergency appendicectomies was performed. Generalized linear models with a binomial distribution were used to evaluate the association between the age groups, gender, white cell count (WCC), neutrophil count (NC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels versus NAs and the different types of appendicitis. The utilization and accuracy of preoperative ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) and a preliminary analysis of AlvS were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients 17 to 24 years old had significantly higher odds of NA but lower odds of complicated appendicitis compared with patients above 40 years. Adult women and men had significantly higher odds of NA and suppurative appendicitis (SA), respectively. Only adults with SA and acute appendicitis had significantly higher odds of raised WCC, NC and CRP. The sensitivity of CT for adult females was high (100%). Patients who had CT and an AlvS of more than 7 did not have NAs.

CONCLUSION

Elevated WCC, NC and CRP were all associated with acute appendicitis and SA in adults only. CT is useful for refining the diagnosis in adult females. A combination of inflammatory markers, ultrasound and AlvS may be used selectively to complement or maximize the advantages of CT.

Fibromatosis of the cecum presenting with acute appendicitis: a case report

Although acute appendicitis is a common clinical condition in general surgical practice, <1% of them are associated with malignancies. Appendiceal carcinoids make up most of those malignancies and acute appendicitis cases associated with benign cecal neoplasias are very uncommon. In this study, a 25-year-old female patient who presented with distinct acute appendicitis symptoms is reported. The patient was operated on via open technique. Exploration revealed an appendix with advanced edema and hyperemia. While the cecum was observed to be normal, a solid mass of 2.5 cm diameter was palpated in the appendiceal base. Following the ileocecal resection, histopathological examination revealed the mass as a fibromatosis. The goals of this report are to remind health care professionals that some very rare etiologies may be involved in acute appendicitis diagnosis and treatment, and to underscore the place of laparoscopic approach and preoperative computed tomography in this disease.