Artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of seven classical Machine Learning (ML) models trained with ultrasound (US) soft markers to raise suspicion of endometriotic bowel involvement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Input data to the models was retrieved from a database of a previously published study on bowel endometriosis performed on 333 patients. The following models have been tested: k-nearest neighbors algorithm (k-NN), Naive Bayes, Neural Networks (NNET-neuralnet), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression. The data driven strategy has been to split randomly the complete dataset in two different datasets. The training dataset and the test dataset with a 67 % and 33 % of the original cases respectively. All models were trained on the training dataset and the predictions have been evaluated using the test dataset. The best model was chosen based on the accuracy demonstrated on the test dataset. The information used in all the models were: age; presence of US signs of uterine adenomyosis; presence of an endometrioma; adhesions of the ovary to the uterus; presence of "kissing ovaries"; absence of sliding sign. All models have been trained using CARET package in R with ten repeated 10-fold cross-validation. Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value were calculated using a 50 % threshold. Presence of intestinal involvement was defined in all cases in the test dataset with an estimated probability greater than 0.5.

RESULTS

In our previous study from where the inputs were retrieved, 106 women had a final expert US diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis. In term of diagnostic accuracy the best model was the Neural Net (Accuracy, 0.73; sensitivity, 0.72; specificity 0.73; PPV 0.52; and NPV 0.86) but without significant difference with the others.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of ultrasound soft markers in raising suspicion of rectosigmoid endometriosis using Artificial Intelligence (AI) models showed similar results to the logistic model.

Ultrasonography and Atypical Sites of Endometriosis

In the present pictorial we show the ultrasonographic appearances of endometriosis in atypical sites. Scar endometriosis may present as a hypoechoic solid nodule with hyperechoic spots while umbilical endometriosis may appear as solid or partially cystic areas with ill-defined margins. In the case of endometriosis of the rectus muscle, ultrasonography usually demonstrates a heterogeneous hypoechogenic formation with indistinct edges. Inguinal endometriosis is quite variable in its ultrasonographic presentation showing a completely solid mass or a mixed solid and cystic mass. The typical ultrasonographic finding associated with perineal endometriosis is the presence of a solid lesion near to the episiotomy scar. Under ultrasonography, appendiceal endometriosis is characterized by a solid lesion in the wall of the small bowel, usually well defined. Superficial hepatic endometriosis is characterized by a small hypoechoic lesion interrupting the hepatic capsula, usually hyperechoic. Ultrasound endometriosis of the pancreas is characterized by a small hypoechoic lesion while endometriosis of the kidney is characterized by a hyperechoic small nodule. Diaphragmatic endometriosis showed typically small hypoechoic lesions. Only peripheral nerves can be investigated using ultrasound, with a typical solid appearance. In conclusion, ultrasonography seems to have a fundamental role in the majority of endometriosis cases in "atypical" sites, in all the cases where "typical" clinical findings are present.

Infection prevention and control in health facilities in post-Ebola Liberia: don't forget the private sector!

Setting: Recognising the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC), a minimum standards tool (MST) was developed in Liberia to guide the safe (re-) opening and provision of care in health facilities. Objectives: To analyse the implementation of specific IPC measures after the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak between June 2015 and May 2016, and to compare the relative improvements in IPC between the public and private sectors. Design: A retrospective comparative cohort study. Results: We evaluated 723 (94%) of the 769 health facilities in Liberia. Of these, 437 (60%) were public and 286 (40%) were private. There was an overall improvement in the MST scores from a median of 13 to 14 out of a maximum possible score of 16. While improvements were observed in all aspects of IPC in both public and private health facilities, IPC implementation was systematically higher in public facilities. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of monitoring IPC implementation using the MST checklist in post-Ebola Liberia. Our study shows that improvements were made in key aspects of IPC after 1 year of evaluations and tailored recommendations. We also highlight the need to increase the focus on the private sector to achieve further improvements in IPC.

Epistaxis in Kaduna, Nigeria: a review of 101 cases

BACKGROUND

Epistaxis is defined as a hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. Sufferers and clinicians may develop significant anxiety despite the fact that majority of patients are treated successfully by the first attending physician.

OBJECTIVE

To review aetiology and management outcomes of epistaxis in a resource constrained setting.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective review of 101 patients seen with epistaxis at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna over 7 years (January 2002- December 2008).

RESULTS

The age of patients ranged between 2 and 75 years. The incidence of epistaxis of 0.5% was recorded out of total patient visit and slight male preponderance with a male:female ratio of 1.4:1. Dry-hot and cold harmattan weather had the highest prevalence. Trauma and infections were the main aetiological factors identified but over 40% of cases are idiopathic in origin. About 25% presented with active bleeding and 11% required admission. All were managed conservatively. Less than 2% received blood transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Epistaxis is a common emergency that requires prompt intervention to reduce further morbidity and prevent mortality. Non operative intervention was a satisfactory approach in this study.