Point of care thoracic ultrasound versus chest computed tomography in the approach of febrile neutropenia patients: A diagnostic accuracy cohort study

Single-center prospective cohort diagnostic accuracy study. Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of Thoracic Ultrasound (TUS) in detecting pulmonary pathology in immunosuppressed patients. We conducted a single-center prospective study. Consecutive patients with febrile neutropenia who underwent CT (Computerized Tomography) underwent TUS evaluation within 24h of CT. Both studies were performed by an expert who was blinded to the clinical information and results of the alternative imaging modalities. 34 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 39.9 years (±17 standard deviation). TUS as a diagnostic test had a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 83.3%, negative predictive value of 71.4%, and positive predictive value of 96.3%. Substantial between-method agreement was demonstrated with a kappa of 0.71 (P = .001) between the TUS and chest CT findings. We obtained a kappa of 1 (P = .001) for the final diagnosis of Pleural Effusion (PE). We concluded that TUS is a promising screening test for immunocompromised individuals. The results showed good diagnostic performance of TUS compared to CT for the detection of pulmonary findings highly suggestive of pathology with high accuracy and reproducibility.

Pleural Effusions Identified by Point-of-Care Ultrasound Predict Poor Outcomes in Decompensated Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease (CLD) may be associated with pleural effusions (PEs). This article prospectively evaluates whether detection of PEs on thoracic ultrasound (TUS) at the bedside independently predicts mortality and length of stay (LOS) in hospitalized patients with a decompensated CLD. A total of 116 consecutive inpatients with decompensated cirrhosis underwent antero-posterior chest radiographs (CXR) and TUS to detect PEs. Their median age was 54 y (interquartile range, 47-62), 90 (70.6%) were male, and 61 (52.6%) fell into the Child-Pugh class C categorization. TUS identified PEs in 58 (50%) patients, half of which were small enough to preclude thoracentesis. CXR failed to recognize approximately 40% of PEs seen on TUS. The identification of PEs by TUS was associated with a longer LOS (10 vs. 5.5 d, p < 0.001) and double mortality (39.7% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.021). In multivariate analysis, PEs were independently related to poor survival (hazard ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.25; p = 0.044). Patients with both Child-Pugh C stage and PEs had the lowest survival rate (70 vs. 317 d, p = 0.001). In conclusion, PEs identified by TUS in hospitalized patients with decompensated CLD independently predict a poor outcome and portend a longer LOS.

3D-printed anatomical models of the cystic duct and its variants, a low-cost solution for an in-house built simulator for laparoscopic surgery training

OBJECTIVES

To explore a method to create affordable anatomical models of the biliary tree that are adequate for training laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an in-house built simulator.

METHODS

We used a fused deposition modeling 3D printer to create molds of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) from Digital Imaging and Communication on Medicine (DICOM) images, and the molds were filled with silicone rubber. Thirteen surgeons with 4-5-year experience in the procedure evaluated the molds using a low-cost in-house built simulator utilizing a 5-point Likert-type scale.

RESULTS

Molds produced through this method had a consistent anatomical appearance and overall realism that evaluators agreed or definitely agreed (4.5/5). Evaluators agreed on recommending the mold for resident surgical training.

CONCLUSIONS

3D-printed molds created through this method can be applied to create affordable high-quality educational anatomical models of the biliary tree for training laparoscopic cholecystectomy.