Evaluation of paediatric pulmonary vein stenosis by cardiac CT angiography: a comparative study with transthoracic echocardiography and catheter angiogram

AIM

To compare prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac catheter angiography (CCA) for paediatric pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review was undertaken of all patients who underwent CCTA for PV evaluation over a 4-year period. Patient demographics, findings of CCTA, TTE, and CCA, as well as interventions performed, were recorded for each PV.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were included (23 male patients). All patients had a prior TTE with time interval between TTE and CCTA ranging from 0 to 90 days. CCTA detected 92 abnormalities in 32 patients. TTE missed 16 PV abnormalities (16/92, 17%), detected 37 abnormalities with certainty (37/92, 40%), and was suggestive in 39 abnormalities (39/92, 42%). CCTA was negative for PV abnormalities when TTE was positive or suspicious in three patients. Nineteen patients underwent CCA (18 patients with 52 abnormalities and one patient with normal PV), confirming CCTA findings. Thirty-nine were treated with angioplasty/stenting (39/52,75%). Failed recanalisation occurred in three PVs (3/52, 6%) and no intervention was attempted for the rest as the gradient was not significant (10/52,19%). Nine patients underwent surgical repair (26/92, 28%). Five patients (14/92, 15%) were managed with no intervention based on CCTA findings and poor clinical prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

CCTA plays an important role in detecting paediatric PV stenosis and identifies additional findings compared to TTE that have direct surgical/interventional implications. CCTA complements TTE in imaging these patients and helps guide management.

Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI for Detection of Meningitis in Infants

PURPOSE

To determine the accuracy of MR imaging for diagnosis of meningitis in infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of infants less than 1 year of age who underwent a brain MR imaging for meningitis from 2010-2018. Gold standard for diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was a positive bacterial CSF culture or a positive blood culture with an elevated CSF WBC count, and diagnosis of viral meningitis was a positive CSF PCR result and elevated CSF WBC count. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for MR imaging diagnosis of meningitis were calculated.

RESULTS

Two hundred nine infants with mean age 80 days (range 0-347 days) were included. There were 178 true positives with the most common pathogens being: Group B Streptococcus (58), E. coli (50), Streptococcus pneumoniae (21), H. influenzae (4); Herpes simplex virus 1 or 2 (18); Enterovirus (4); and other (23). There were 31 true negatives. Range of sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of MR imaging for detection of meningitis was 67.4-83.5%, 92.3-95.7%, 95.0-98.6%, 33.3-76.5%, and 71.3-86.5% respectively. MR imaging sensitivity decreased after 10 days from time of presentation while specificity remained stable. Among individual MR imaging findings, leptomeningeal enhancement was the most sensitive finding, while cerebritis, infarction, ventriculitis, abscess, and intraventricular purulent material were the most specific findings.

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging of the brain demonstrates high specificity and moderate sensitivity for diagnosis among infants presenting with signs and symptoms of meningitis. The results reflect current standard of care for imaging of infants with meningitis however a selection bias for imaging of more severe meningitis may affect these results.

Activity Levels and Outcomes of a Standalone Regional Paediatric High Dependency Unit

Aim The Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) operates as the only standalone unit outside of Dublin centres. The aim of this study was to describe a regional PHDU population, compare outcomes with international standards (PICANet) and ensure adequate clinical governance. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 126 admission records from January - December 2019. Results There were 126 admissions to PHDU in 2019, of which respiratory (n=81, 64.3%) and neurological (n=23, 18.3%) subgroups represented the largest populations. Median length of stay was two days with mean age of admission 3.97 ± 4.5 years and slightly more male admissions (56%). Of the total, 65% required oxygen, 32.1% needed CPAP directly and 38% commenced high-flow, of whom 29% transitioned to CPAP. Transfer for tertiary care was required in 10.3%, of whom 7.9% needed PICU. Conclusion The data show UHL PHDU to have a patient population reflecting international trends as well as producing satisfactory patient outcomes. With a low rate of transfer for tertiary care and given that 15 other paediatric units exist in the Republic of Ireland outside Dublin, development of regional PHDU capacity would provide great opportunity to decrease strain on PICU bed capacity, particularly during busy Winter months.

Performance of Pediatric Neuroradiologists Working from Home during a Pandemic at a Quaternary Pediatric Academic Hospital

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many radiology departments shifted to working a portion of clinical assignments from home. To determine the effect of working from home on performance, productivity, quality, and safety, we evaluated turnaround time, volume of studies, and error rates on rotations worked from home compared with in the hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The number of studies interpreted per day for each neuroradiologist, turnaround times, and error rates reported to peer learning was identified from April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020. For each neuroradiologist, mean turnaround times and volumes per day at home versus in the hospital were compared. Similar comparison was performed for STAT studies.

RESULTS

During the time period, 2597 CTs (1897 at home, 700 in the hospital) and 3685 MRIs (2601 at home, 1084 in the hospital) were read. By individual neuroradiologists, 57% (4/7) had shorter turnaround time at home and 57% (4/7) demonstrated an increase in the mean number of studies per day read at home. No statistically significant difference was noted in the neuroradiologists' performance while reading STAT studies. Reported error rates were not found to be higher at home, with statistically significantly lower rates when working at home (P = .018).

CONCLUSIONS

Variable productivity and performance of neuroradiologists when working from home versus in the hospital were found, being 57% faster and/or more productive while working at home without an increase in error rates. The decision to work at home versus in the hospital may best be based on local factors, balancing the variability among individual neuroradiologist's and the institution's needs, recognizing that working from home is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon but requires adaptability for successful implementation.

912 Unusual Presentation Of JAK-2; A Degenerating Breast Neurofibroma

Introduction

29-year-old lady presented to ED with acutely enlarging painless right breast swelling. No history of trauma; diagnosis likely breast abscess. Significant growth during short inpatient admission with incidental clinical finding of multiple cutaneous skin nodules from childhood, mother had similar lesions. CT chest performed illustrating large anterior chest wall mass 15.2x15.7x24.7cm. Transferred to regional plastic surgery unit for resection. Haematological abnormality identified on routine bloods which was life changing.

Description

Attended ED following a three-day history of a rapidly progressive right breast mass causing necrosis and blistering of overlying skin with drop in haemoglobin from 138 to 94 overnight. Transferred to regional plastic surgery unit where she underwent an evacuation of breast haematoma and excision of neurofibroma and was transfused 2 units of blood. Pathology revealed a degenerating neurofibroma. Abnormal coagulation and blood film during inpatient stay prompted subsequent bone marrow biopsy which revealed diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasm later found to be JAK-2 V617F mutation positive.

Discussion

Patient moved to UK 6 years ago from Lithuania, previously lived within area affected by Chernobyl nuclear disaster. JAK-2 myeloproliferative disease typically presents in middle aged but also reported as radiation acquired. Risk benefit of anti-platelet therapy for myeloproliferative malignancy evaluated due to high probability of re-bleeding. Complex case of Neurofibromatosis-1 and Myeloproliferative disease; diagnosis presented as a breast lump. Multidisciplinary input from surgery, haematology, genetics and neurology for best outcome.

To repeat or not to repeat: Radiologists demonstrated more decisiveness than their fellow radiographers in reducing the repeat rate during mobile chest radiography

INTRODUCTION

Radiologists and radiographers play a complementary role in providing an optimal image quality with decrease radiation dose and proper diagnosis during chest radiographs. We aim Investigate years of experience among radiologists and radiographers on perception of image quality and its impact on repeat rate when evaluating portable pediatric chest radiographs.

METHODS

IRB approved retrospective study consisted of randomly selected images (n = 131) of pediatric portable chest radiographs. Images were blindly assessed by four radiologists and four radiographers. Readers were asked to assess qualitative and quantitative image quality by rating: image quality, decision to repeat and image technique. All data was compared employing Pearson's Correlation, Visual grading characteristic (VGC) and Cohens' kappa analyses.

RESULTS

Image quality: Radiologists (88.4%) rated images as excellent significantly more than radiographers (11.6%), and radiographers (90.1%) as poor significantly more than radiologists (9.9%) (p < 0.05). Repeat: Radiologists (57%) decided not to repeat images significantly more than radiographers (43%) (p < 0.05). Image technique: Radiologists rated images as acceptable (65%) and excellent (97.7%) significantly more than radiographers (35% and 2.3% respectively) (p < 0.05), whereas radiographers (84%) assessed image technique as poor significantly more than radiologists (16%) (p < 0.05). VGC: radiographers had slightly better qualitative evaluation of image quality than radiologists. An association between image quality (p < 0.002) and repeat decision (p < 0.044) with years of experience was established when comparing years of experience with image assessment rubric, while no association was noted with image technique (p < 0.9).

CONCLUSION

Radiologists demonstrated more decisiveness than their fellow radiographers in reducing the repeat rate of portable pediatric chest radiographs. Interestingly, years of experience only seem to affect image technique and image quality assessment among radiologists.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Continuous education of radiographers and close collaboration with radiologists is crucial to achieve optimal image quality and low radiation doses.

Potential missed opportunities to prevent ischaemic stroke: prospective multicentre cohort study of atrial fibrillation-associated ischaemic stroke and TIA

OBJECTIVE

We report on: (1) the proportion of patients with known atrial fibrillation (AF); and (2) demographic, clinical or radiological differences between patients with known AF (and not treated) and patients with newly diagnosed AF, in a cohort of patients who presented with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) not previously treated with anticoagulation.

DESIGN

We reviewed cross-sectional baseline demographic and clinical data from a prospective observational cohort study, (CROMIS-2).

SETTING

Patients were recruited from 79 hospital stroke centres throughout the UK and one centre in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients were eligible if they were adults who presented with ischaemic stroke or TIA and AF and had not been previously treated with oral anticoagulation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proportion of patients with known AF before index ischaemic stroke or TIA from a cohort of patients who have not been previously treated with oral anticoagulation. Secondary analysis includes the comparison of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and other demographics and risk factors between those with newly diagnosed AF and those with previously known AF.

RESULTS

Of 1470 patients included in the analysis (mean age 76 years (SD 10)), 622 (42%) were female; 999 (68%) patients had newly diagnosed AF and 471 (32%) patients had known AF. Of the 471 patients with known AF, 68% had a strong indication for anticoagulation and 89% should have been considered for anticoagulation based upon CHA2DS2-VASc score. Patients with known AF were more likely to have a prior history of dementia (4% vs 2%, p=0.02) and had higher HAS-BLED scores (median 3 vs 2). CHA2DS2-VASc, other risk factors and demographics were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

About 1/3 of patients who present with stroke and have AF who have not been treated with oral anticoagulation have previously known AF. Of these patients, at least 68% were not adequately treated with oral anticoagulation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02513316.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients receiving rituximab and cyclophosphamide after haplo-identical T-cell replete transplantation and review of the literature

John Cunningham virus (JCV) reactivation, occurring mainly in immunocompromised patients, leads to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, an uncommon but lethal disease. JCV reactivation after T-cell replete haploidentical stem cell transplantation, in the pre-cyclophosphamide era, is poorly represented in the literature. We therefore describe two cases of acute myeloid leukemia who developed JCV reactivation after receiving cyclophosphamide and rituximab post haploidentical stem cell transplantation, and review the literature, aiming to a better understanding of the disease course and its risk factors.

[Barriers for Migrants Regarding the Access to Medical Rehabilitation on Behalf of the German Pension Insurance]

OBJECTIVE

To identify barriers for migrants regarding the access to medical rehabilitation on behalf of the German Pension Insurance.

METHODS

Focus groups with migrants (n=5, 42 participants) and experts (n=1, 14 participants) were conducted and examined by qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 4 categories of access barriers: 1. system-related, migrant-specific, 2. person-related, migrant-specific, 3. system-related, primarily not migrant-specific, and 4. person-related, primarily not migrant-specific barriers. Barriers in categories 3 and 4 are mostly class- or gender-specific. Due to associations between migration background, social status and gender roles, these barriers are often of specific importance to migrants as well. Taking such intersections of single categories of inequality (migration background, social status, gender) into account, access barriers can interact and form complexes of barriers.

CONCLUSION

In order to explain and overcome the low utilization of medical rehabilitation by migrants, the interaction of migrant-, class- and gender-specific barriers in the system and in persons have to be considered.

[Health promotion for long-term unemployed. Effects on motivation for a healthy lifestyle]

Among the long-term unemployed ill health is often a hindrance to successful reintegration in the job market. In a quasi-experimental controlled study we examined the effects of a health promotion intervention program tailored to the specific needs of the long-term unemployed combining individual sessions based on motivational interviewing and participatory group sessions including physical activity. Over a period of 3 months the participants of the intervention group (n = 179) showed more improvement compared to the control group (n = 108) in terms of motivation for lifestyle changes towards more physical activity and healthier nutrition. Participants of the intervention group developed an intention to act significantly more often (active lifestyle: odds ratio 4.44; 95% CI: 2.00-9.83; healthy nutrition: odds ratio 3.94; 95% CI: 1.55-10.00) and actually implemented a behavior change significantly more often (active lifestyle: odds ratio 2.77; 95% CI: 1.35-5.71; healthy nutrition: odds ratio 4.34; 95% CI: 1.92-9.78). In terms of smoking and alcohol consumption no significant intervention effects were detected. The results of the study show the effectiveness of the described health promotion program regarding a lifestyle change towards more healthy nutrition and more physical activity.

Gesundheit und gesundheitliche Versorgung von Migranten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Sucht

Adequate knowledge about the target group is essential for user-focused health care. Little differentiated information on the health and health care of migrants is available in Germany, and focused research on migrant groups hardly exists. The burden of the migration itself, the change in the socioeconomic status (compared to the home country) and - compared with the locals - a more restricted access to the health care system affect the health of migrants. A major health problem with this group is addiction. Characteristics of health and health behaviour of Turkish- and Russian-speaking migrants in Germany are examined by a study supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: predicting outcome from peri-operative evaluation

BACKGROUND

Although laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicaton is a safe, effective treatment for gastrooesophageal reflux (GOR), questions remain about the durability of the procedure and patient selection criteria.

AIMS

To review a single surgeon's experience of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicaton and to determine which factors, if any are likely to influence long term outcome.

METHODS

Data were collected on all 124 patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication over a five-year period, and a detailed questionnaire was used to evaluate outcome.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine per cent of patients were satisfied with the results of surgery whilst 8.8% of patients had significant recurrence of symptoms. Time since surgery was longer in those patients with symptom recurrence who were also more likely to be female. Pre-operative age, body mass index (BMI),Visick Score, endoscopic findings or pH analysis scores were not predictive of outcome, nor were intra-operative findings or post-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

Although laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment for GOR, it is difficult to predict the small but significant group of patients with poor longterm outcome based on pre-operative assessment and peri-operative parameters alone.

[Specific features of hemodialysis patients and recipients of allogenic kidney determining requirements for the operation of endoprosthesis of the hip joint]

The authors consider specific general status of 23 patients aged from 26 through 63 years who underwent operations of total endoprosthesis of the hip joint for aseptic necrosis of the femoral bone head (18 cases) and pathological fracture of the femur neck (5 cases). Out of 23 patients 11 were given dialysis treatment and 12 underwent allotransplantation of the kidney. A technique of complex preoperative management is described that allowed avoidance of general peri- and postoperative complications.

Verbesserung des Impfschutzes für sozial benachteiligte Gruppen unter Mitarbeit von Vertrauenspersonen - Ergebnisse einer kultur- und sprachsensiblen Intervention des Gesundheitsamtes Stade und des Ethno-Medizinischen Zentrums für Migrantenkinder im Altländer Viertel

In January 2002, a vaccination campaign against measles, mumps and rubella was carried out in the Altlander Viertel, a district in Stade, Germany. The campaign was directed towards children of immigrants, a group often at a disadvantage in terms of health. This campaign was organised and carried out by the public health department in Stade for the first time in September 2002. During regular health screenings when children were enrolled for school it was found that they children were poorly protected by vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. Since several attempts to improve the situation, for example by organising information events, had not been successful, it was decided to develop special measures for this particular group in order to improve their health. Together with the Ethno-Medical Centre in Hanover the concept of a vaccination campaign considering the special situation of immigrants was developed. The core measures were to find, train and use key persons within the groups of immigrants are living in the Altlander Viertel in Stade. These key persons helped to inform and motivate the immigrants to go to the vacciantion stations set up in the district. In this way it was possible to carry out a successful intervention (vaccination campaign).

[Migration-specific expertising in the spheres of tension between medicine, law, psychology and politics -- report on an interdisciplinary meeting of experts]

The 4th conference of transcultural medical appraisal was organized once again by the ethno-medical center in Hannover on 2nd and 3rd of November, 2001. For the first time, medical estimators and decision-makers from the spheres of medicine, psychology, law and administration got together thematically and interdisciplinary. As to the public health authorities, the intensive discussion and working session on the topic of deportation, transportability and asylum was of high relevance. The specific working group included judges, clinical and public health physicians, psychologists, migration authority officials and representatives of migrant organisations. In full agreement finally it was pointed out that medical or psychological estimation concerning asylum and deportation should remain in the hands of the public health authorities because of their expert knowledge, experience and full independence in the sphere of medical and psychological appraisal.

Prognostic significance of p53 abnormalities in colorectal carcinoma detected by PCR-SSCP and immunohistochemical analysis

Abnormalities in the p53 tumour suppressor gene and in the expression of its protein are common in colorectal carcinoma. The prognostic significance of these p53 abnormalities was studied in 66 patients with colorectal cancer, followed for more than 10 years. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to detect alterations in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene. Paraffin sections were examined immunohistochemically for p53 overexpression with the monoclonal antibody DO-7 (Dako) both with and without microwave antigen retrieval. Abnormalities of the p53 gene were found in 41 per cent of cases by SSCP analysis. Outcome was unrelated to SSCP abnormalities (P = 0.19), except for the Dukes' A and B subgroup, where decreased survival was found in cases with abnormal SSCP (P = 0.01). Overexpression of p53 protein was seen by immunohistochemistry in 47 per cent of cases without, and in 52 per cent of cases with microwave antigen retrieval. Immunohistochemical overexpression of p53 protein either with or without microwave antigen retrieval was an independent prognostic indicator of poor survival. These results suggest that for routine purposes, immunohistochemical detection of the p53 protein product may be more useful than SSCP analysis of the encoding p53 gene in identifying those at high risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and death.