CT Grading Research Articles

Prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients with positive peritoneal cytology who underwent upfront surgery.

400 Background: Positive peritoneal cytology (CY1) is classified as Stage IV disease, the standard treatment for which is systemic chemotherapy. However, CY1 is often diagnosed after surgery in patients for whom staging laparoscopy is not indicated. In addition, the treatment strategy for patients with CY1 diagnosed during surgery is controversial. The Japanese guidelines recommend upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for patients diagnosed with CY1 during surgery. To identify patients with CY1 who are most likely to benefit from upfront surgery, we investigated prognostic factors in patients with CY1 who underwent upfront surgery. Methods: A total of 169 gastric cancer patients diagnosed as P0CY1 during or after surgery who underwent R1 resection other than positive resection margins were included. The diagnosis of CY1 was obtained by staging laparoscopy or during laparotomy in 69 patients and after surgery in 87 patients. Fourteen patients were initially diagnosed as CY0 by staging laparoscopy but were rediagnosed as CY1 after surgery. The clinicopathological factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were investigated. Prognostic factors were identified using Cox regression models. Results: The median patient age was 72 years, and there were 108 males. The histological type was undifferentiated type in all of 102 patients. The macroscopic types were 0 in 10) patients 1 in 3, 2 in 27 3 in 84 and 4 in 45). cT grades and cN grades were cT1 in 3, cT2 in 7, cT3 in 12, cT4 in 147, cN0 in 65cN1 in 30), cN2 in 46 and cN3 in 28. The median OS and PFS were 25.1 months and 14.6 months, with 5-year OS rate and PFS rate of 30% and 23%, respectively. A multivariate analysis for OS identified macroscopic type 0-2, Charlson Comorbidity Index<3, and adjuvant chemotherapy as independent prognostic factors. Similarly, macroscopic type 0-2, tumor size <80 mm, and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for PFS. In a subgroup analysis of patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, macroscopic type 0-2 was the only independent prognostic factor for PFS. The 5-year PFS rate in patients with macroscopic type 0-2 was 42%. Conclusions: Patients with macroscopic type 0-2 who are suitable for adjuvant chemotherapy may have benefit from upfront surgery, even if peritoneal cytology is positive.

Differentiation of Early Sacroiliitis Using Machine-Learning- Supported Texture Analysis.

Objectives: We wished to compare the diagnostic performance of texture analysis (TA) against that of a visual qualitative assessment in identifying early sacroiliitis (nr-axSpA). Methods: A total of 92 participants were retrospectively included at our university hospital institution, comprising 30 controls and 62 patients with axSpA, including 32 with nr-axSpA and 30 with r-axSpA, who underwent MR examination of the sacroiliac joints. MRI at 3T of the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint was performed using oblique T1-weighted (W), fluid-sensitive, fat-saturated (Fs) T2WI images. The modified New York criteria for AS were used. Patients were classified into the nr-axSpA group if their digital radiography (DR) and/or CT results within 7 days from the MR examination showed a DR and/or CT grade < 2 for the bilateral sacroiliac joints or a DR and/or CT grade < 3 for the unilateral sacroiliac joint. Patients were classified into the r-axSpA group if their DR and/or CT grade was 2 to 3 for the bilateral sacroiliac joints or their DR and/or CT grade was 3 for the unilateral sacroiliac joint. Patients were considered to have a confirmed diagnosis if their DR or CT grade was 4 for the sacroiliac joints and were thereby excluded. A control group of healthy individuals matched in terms of age and sex to the patients was included in this study. First, two readers independently qualitatively scored the oblique coronal T1WI and FsT2WI non-enhanced sacroiliac joint images. The diagnostic efficacies of the two readers were judged and compared using an assigned Likert score, conducting a Kappa consistency test of the diagnostic results between two readers. Texture analysis models (the T1WI-TA model and the FsT2WI-TA model) were constructed through feature extraction and feature screening. The qualitative and quantitative results were evaluated for their diagnostic performance and compared against a clinical reference standard. Results: The qualitative scores of the two readers could significantly distinguish between the healthy controls and the nr-axSpA group and the nr-axSpA and r-axSpA groups (both p < 0.05). Both TA models could significantly distinguish between the healthy controls and the nr-axSpA group and the nr-axSpA group and the r-axSpA group (both p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the differential diagnoses of the two TA models between the healthy controls and the nr-axSpA group (AUC: 0.934 vs. 0.976; p = 0.1838) and between the nr-axSpA and r-axSpA groups (AUC: 0.917 vs. 0.848; p = 0.2592). In terms of distinguishing between the healthy control and nr-axSpA groups, both the TA models were superior to the qualitative scores of the two readers (all p < 0.05). In terms of distinguishing between the nr-axSpA and r-axSpA groups, the T1WI-TA model was superior to the qualitative scores of the two readers (p = 0.023 and p = 0.007), whereas there was no significant difference between the fsT2WI-TA model and the qualitative scores of the two readers (p = 0.134 and p = 0.065). Conclusions: Based on MR imaging, the T1WI-TA and fsT2WI-TA models were highly effective for the early diagnosis of sacroiliac joint arthritis. The T1WI-TA model significantly improved the early diagnostic efficacy for sacroiliac arthritis compared to that of the qualitative scores of the readers, while the efficacy of the fsT2WI-TA model was comparable to that of the readers.

The reliability of a ball-tipped probe for detection of breached versus non-breached pedicle drill tracts in the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine of a canine large breed cadaveric model

BackgroundSpinal stabilization in dogs is challenging, and improper implant placement can result in significant morbidity. Objectives were to evaluate reliability of a ball-tipped probe for detection of breached versus non-breached pedicle drill tracts in a canine large breed cadaveric model. CT scans obtained from T6 to sacrum. Fifty-six pedicles (T7-L7) were randomized to have 1 of 5 modified Zdichavsky drill tracts (non-breached, partial/full medial breach, partial/full lateral breach). All tracts were created using 3D-printed guides. Each pedicle was probed separately by 2 investigators in randomized fashion on 2 occasions, 2 weeks apart. Post-probing CT grading of tracts was performed by one investigator, blinded to probing results. Specificity, sensitivity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values and times to assign grade were compared between surgeons.ResultsCT identified 43 non-breached tracts, 7 medial and 5 lateral breaches. One tract was excluded because of guide misplacement. Specificity was 90.1%. PPV for detection of medial and lateral breaches was 80.0% and 57.1%. Sensitivity for medial (grade 2a/2b) and lateral (grade 3a/3b) breaches was 100.0% and 80.0%. NPV was 98.8%. Overall median time to assign grade with probe was 37.5–59.5 s. Both surgeons had very good intraobserver agreement (k,0.823 and 0.812). Interobserver agreement for round 1 was good (k,0.674) and good-to-very good for round 2 (k,0.800).ConclusionsUse of a ball-tipped probe is associated with excellent specificity, excellent sensitivity to detect medial breaches, and good sensitivity to detect lateral breaches. This technique may be useful to confirm integrity of pedicle screw/pin tracts in dogs.

Clinical Application of CT Imaging Grading System in Upper Urinary Tract Calculi with Kidney Infection.

This study aimed to establish a CT imaging grading system and explore its value in evaluating upper urinary tract calculi associated with kidney infections. CT images of 126 patients with kidney infections caused by upper urinary tract calculi were retrospectively analyzed. The CT grading system was developed based on CT images. CT images were classified into 4 grades. General information, symptoms, and clinical findings of patients in different CT grades were analyzed. With the occurrence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) as the endpoint, univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors of SIRS. Patients with fever or diabetes had higher CT grades, and the following examination data revealed significant differences across the various CT grades (P < 0.05): the white blood cell count, urine leucocytes count, CT1, CT2, maximum body temperature, duration of disease, the proportion of blood neutrophils, the size of stones, and levels of the C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. Only CT grading was statistically significant after multivariate analysis. According to the values of the partial regression coefficient (B), the higher the CT grade, the greater the risk of SIRS. The risk of SIRS was 4.472 times higher with each increment of the CT grade. The CT grade is directly associated with clinical symptoms and the risk of SIRS.

Intraoperative slide rail CT assistance in percutaneous sacroiliac joint screws for the treatment of pelvic posterior ring injury

To compare the clinical efficacy of intraoperative slide rail CT combined with C-arm X-ray assistance and just C-arm for percutaneous screw in the treatment of pelvic posterior ring injury. A retrospective analysis was performed on the patient data of 76 patients with posterior pelvic ring injury admitted to the Department of Orthopedic Trauma from December 2018 to February 2022. Among them, 39 patients in the CT group were treated with C-arm combined with slide rail CT-assisted inline fixation including 23 males and 16 females with an average age of (44.98±7.33) years old;and the other 37 patients in the C-arm group were treated with intraline fixation treatment under only C-arm fluoroscopy including 24 males and 13 females with an average age of (44.37±10.82) years old. Among them, 42 patients with anterior ring fractures were treated with percutaneous inferior iliac spines with internal fixation (INFIX) or suprapubic support screws to fix the anterior pelvic ring. Postoperative follow-up time, operation time, complications of the two groups were compared. Results of Matta reduction criteria, Majed efficacy evaluation, the CT grading and the rate of secondary surgical revision were compared. The nailing time of (32.63±7.33) min in CT group was shorter than that of (52.95±10.64) min in C-arm group (t=-9.739, P<0.05). The follow-up time between CT group (11.97±1.86) months and C-arm group (12.03±1.71) months were not statistically significant(P>0.05). The postoperative complication rates between two groups were not statistically significant (χ2=0.159, P>0.05). Results of Matta reduction criteria (Z=2.79, P<0.05), Majeed efficacy evaluation(Z=2.79, P<0.05), CT grading (Z=2.83, P<0.05) in CT group were better than those in C-arm group(P<0.05); the secondary surgical revision rate in the CT group was significantly lower than that in the C-arm group (χ2=5.641, P<0.05). Compared with traditional C-arm fluoroscopy, intraoperative slide rail CT combined with C-arm assisted percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw placement surgery has the characteristics of short operation time, high accuracy and safety, and significant decrease in postoperative secondary revision rate, and is one of the effective methods for re-establishing the stability of the posterior ring of pelvic fracture.

Correlation between Balthazar CT grading, CECT necrosis volume, attenuation value, and prognosis of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

To analyze the correlation between Balthazar CT grading and contrast-enhanced CT necrosis volume and attenuation value and prognosis of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Ninety-two patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis who were treated in the hospital were selected between June 2019 and June 2021, and they were divided into the poor prognosis group and the good prognosis group according to the clinical prognosis at 6 months of follow-up. Balthazar CT, contrast-enhanced CT necrosis volume, and attenuation value were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Receiver operating characteristic curve was adopted to analyze the predictive value. Among the 92 participants, there were 28 cases with good prognosis (30.43%) and 64 cases with poor prognosis (69.57%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, C-reactive protein, urea nitrogen, Balthazar CT, necrotic volume, and average attenuation value of the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those of the good prognosis group (all P values <.05). The results of the multivariate logistic analysis showed that Balthazar CT grade, necrotic volume, and average attenuation value were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (all P values <.05). The area under the curve of Balthazar CT grade, necrotic volume, average attenuation value, and the joint detection in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis were 0.765, 0.624, 0.764, and 0.861, respectively. The Balthazar CT grading, necrosis volume, and average attenuation value are significantly higher among patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis complicated with poor prognosis, and they are also independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis, and can help clinically predict the prognosis of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis, and the combined detection has better application effects.

The impact of skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar spine on nosocomial deterioration and short-term prognosis in acute pancreatitis: a retrospective observational study.

To investigate the impact of the third lumbar skeletal muscle index (L3-SMI) assessed by CT on the in-hospital severity and short-term prognosis of acute pancreatitis. A total of 224 patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to Yantaishan Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the subjects. Based on the in-hospital treatment outcomes, they were divided into a mortality group of 59 cases as well as a survival group of 165 cases. Upon admission, general information such as the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, along with the abdominal CT images of each patient, were analyzed. The L3-SMI was calculated, and the Modified CT Severity Index (MCTSI) and Balthazar CT grade were used to assess the severity of in-hospital complications of acute pancreatitis. The evaluation value of L3-SMI for the prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis was analyzed, as well as the factors influencing the prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis. No statistically significant differences in gender, age, BMI, etiology, duration of anti-inflammatory drug use, and proportion of surgical patients between the survival and mortality groups were observed. But the mortality group showed higher proportions of patients with an elevated APACHE II score upon admission, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy, compared to the survival group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mortality group had higher MCTSI scores (6.42 ± 0.69) and Balthazar CT grades (3.78 ± 0.45) than the survival group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). The mortality group also had a lower L3-SMI (39.68 ± 3.25) compared to the survival group (42.71 ± 4.28), with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). L3-SMI exhibited a negative correlation with MCTSI scores and Balthazar CT grades (r = -0.889, -0.790, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis, with mortality of acute pancreatitis patients as the dependent variable and MCTSI scores, Balthazar CT grades, L3-SMI, APACHE II score upon admission, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy as independent variables, revealed that MCTSI scores and L3-SMI were risk factors for mortality in acute pancreatitis patients (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis using the same variables confirmed that all these factors were risk factors for mortality in acute pancreatitis patients. This study confirmed that diagnosing muscle depletion using L3-SMI is a valuable radiological parameter for predicting in-hospital severity and short-term prognosis in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Clinicopathological factors affecting response and survival in stage III breast cancer patients undergoing a dose-dense neoadjuvant regimen.

Identifying predictors of pathological complete response (pCR) and long-term outcomes after neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer is needed to individualize treatment and patient monitoring. This study aimed to investigate clinicopathological factors affecting pCR and long-term outcomes in stage III breast cancer patients receiving a dose-dense neoadjuvant regimen. This is a retrospective study including patients with stage III breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin 60 mg/m² plus cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m², followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m² every two weeks at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and Hanoi Oncology Hospital between January 2015 and December 2022. Logistic and Cox regression were used to investigate the association between clinicopathological factors and pCR and long-term outcomes, respectively. A total of 211 patients were included in the study. Univariate analysis found an association of pCR with clinical tumor (cT) stage, grade, hormone receptor status, HER2, Ki67, and St. Gallen classification. Multivariate analysis identified several predictors of pCR: cT stage (cT3/T4 vs cT1/T2: OR: 0.3; p = 0.01); grade (grade 3 vs grade 1-2: OR: 1.6; p = 0.035); and hormone receptor status (nega-tive vs. positive: OR: 2.9; p = 0.011). Two independent prognostic factors for event-free survival (EFS) were identified: hormone receptor status (negative vs. positive: HR: 2.1; p = 0.044) and pCR (No pCR vs. pCR: HR: 3.0; p = 0.018). Hormone receptor status was also the only independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (negative vs. positive: HR: 2.6; p=0.039). Low cT stage, grade 3, and hormone receptor-negative status were independent predictors of pCR. Hormone receptor-positive status and pCR were independent prognostic factors for better EFS, while hormone receptor-positive status was the only independent prognostic factor for better OS.

Risk factors of pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 pneumonia

To identify the risk factors of pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 pneumonia. A retrospective study included 8261 patients with COVID-19 between April 2020 and March 2022. Inclusion criteria: age >18 years, COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Two cohorts of patients were formed: 40 patients with pulmonary cavitation and 40 patients without these lesions. Both groups were comparable in age, lung lesion volume and oxygenation. Sex, age, length of hospital-stay, CT grade of lung lesion, comorbidities, treatment, respiratory support, oxygen saturation and in-hospital outcomes were evaluated. The highest lung lesion volume during hospitalization was assessed. CT was performed upon admission and approximately every 5 days for evaluation of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software (IBM Corporation, USA). Patients with pulmonary cavitation significantly differed in age, SpO2, lung lesion volume, more common non-invasive ventilation and prolonged hospital-stay. Cardiovascular diseases were more common in both groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed age, cardiovascular diseases, CT-based severity of lung damage, absence of biological therapy and non-invasive ventilation as risk factors of pulmonary cavitation. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, these predictors were CT-based severity of lung damage and absence of biological therapy. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that pulmonary cavitation had no significant effect on mortality (OR=2.613, 95% CI: 0.732-9.322, p=0.139). The risk of pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 is directly related to advanced lung damage and untimely or absent biological therapy with IL-6 inhibitors. Pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 is not a typical manifestation of disease and can be caused by some factors: fungal infection, secondary bacterial infection, tuberculosis and pulmonary infarction. Further study of this problem is required to develop diagnostic algorithms and treatment tactics.

Establishment and validation of early prediction model for hypertriglyceridemic severe acute pancreatitis

BackgroundThe prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is increasing due to improvements in living standards and dietary changes. However, currently, there is no clinical multifactor scoring system specific to HTG-AP. This study aimed to screen the predictors of HTG-SAP and combine several indicators to establish and validate a visual model for the early prediction of HTG-SAP.MethodsThe clinical data of 266 patients with HTG-SAP were analysed. Patients were classified into severe (N = 42) and non-severe (N = 224) groups according to the Atlanta classification criteria. Several statistical analyses, including one-way analysis, least absolute shrinkage with selection operator (LASSO) regression model, and binary logistic regression analysis, were used to evaluate the data.ResultsThe univariate analysis showed that several factors showed no statistically significant differences, including the number of episodes of pancreatitis, abdominal pain score, and several blood diagnostic markers, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum calcium (Ca2+), C-reactive protein (CRP), and the incidence of pleural effusion, between the two groups (P < 0.000). LASSO regression analysis identified six candidate predictors: CRP, LDH, Ca2+, procalcitonin (PCT), ascites, and Balthazar computed tomography grade. Binary logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that CRP, LDH, Ca2+, and ascites were independent predictors of HTG-SAP, and the area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.886, 0.893, 0.872, and 0.850, respectively. The AUC of the newly established HTG-SAP model was 0.960 (95% confidence interval: 0.936–0.983), which was higher than that of the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score, modified CT severity index, Ranson score, and Japanese severity score (JSS) CT grade (AUC: 0.794, 0.796, 0.894 and 0.764, respectively). The differences were significant (P < 0.01), except for the JSS prognostic indicators (P = 0.130). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed that the predictive results of the model were highly consistent with the actual situation (P > 0.05). The decision curve analysis plot suggested that clinical intervention can benefit patients when the model predicts that they are at risk for developing HTG-SAP.ConclusionsCRP, LDH, Ca2+, and ascites are independent predictors of HTG-SAP. The prediction model constructed based on these indicators has a high accuracy, sensitivity, consistency, and practicability in predicting HTG-SAP.

Cats with idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis that develop clinical signs before two years of age have more severe nasal conchal lysis, sinus malformation, and more severe inflammation on histological examination.

To evaluate the severity of sinonasal lesions on CT in cats with feline idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis (FICR) comparing cats who developed the condition at a young age to those who developed it as an adult. And, to assess if CT findings correlate with histopathology. 58 cats with FICR confirmed on histopathology. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were divided into 2 groups based on their age category: juvenile (group 1, n = 30) and adult (group 2, 28), with juvenile cats being 2 years old or younger and adults being older than 2 years at the onset of clinical signs. Computed tomographic findings were recorded and graded (mild, moderate, and severe) by a board-certified radiologist, comparing each group. The CT findings were then compared to the histopathology results. The overall CT grade was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .21). Nasal conchal lysis was more severe in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .002), and group 1 also had a higher incidence of sinusal malformation (OR 2.42). Inflammatory infiltrates were more severe on histopathology in group 1 than in group 2 (OR 4.95), and the overall CT grade was slightly positively associated with the histological severity (κ = 0.2). Feline idiopathic chronic rhinosinusitis was associated with more severe nasal conchal lysis, sinus malformation, and more severe inflammation on histopathological examination in cats that develop clinical signs before 2 years of age. This finding could have an impact in term of clinical signs severity.

The value of bone SPECT/CT in evaluation of foot and ankle arthrodesis and adjacent joint secondary osteoarthritis.

To evaluate the value of SPECT/CT (single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography) in foot and ankle arthrodesis and development of secondary osteoarthritis in the adjacent joints. SPECT/CT of 140 joints in the foot and ankle (34 upper ankle (UA), 28 lower ankle (LA), 27 talonavicular (TN), 12 calcaneo-cuboidal (CC), and 39 other smaller joints after arthrodesis in 72 patients were evaluated retrospectively regarding fusion grade in CT (0 = no fusion, 1 = < 50% fusion, 2 = > 50% fusion, 3 = complete fusion) and radiotracer uptake (0 = no uptake, 1 = mild uptake, 2 = moderate uptake, 3 = high uptake) on SPECT/CT. Severity of osteoarthritis (1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) and radiotracer uptake grade in adjacent joints was also assessed. In 54 patients, clinical information about interventions in the follow-up was available. According to the SPECT/CT, arthrodesis was successful (grade 2 or 3 CT fusion and grade 0 or 1 uptake) in 73% (25/34) of UA joints, 71% (20/28) of LA joints, 67% (18/27) TN, 100% (12/12) CC joints, and 62% (24/39) of other smaller joints. In 12 joints, there were discrepant findings in SPECT/CT (fusion grade 2 and uptake grade 2 or 3 (n = 9); or, fusion grade 0 or 1 and uptake grade 1 (n = 3)). The fusion rate 6-12months after arthrodesis was 42% (14/33), 59% (20/34) after 13-24months, and 89% (65/73) after more than 24months, respectively. Average radiotracer uptake in arthrodesis decreased with age: 6-12months: 1.60, 12-24months: 1.32, > 24months: 0.38. There was a significant negative correlation between radiotracer uptake grade and CT fusion grade. Osteoarthritis was observed in 131 adjacent joints. During the post scan follow-up, additional arthrodeses were performed in 33 joints, of which 11 joints were re-arthrodesis and 22 were new arthrodeses in osteoarthritic adjacent joints. All these 11 joints with failed arthrodesis had grade 0 of CT fusion and grade 2 or 3 of radiotracer uptake. All 22 adjacent joints with osteoarthritis, which subsequently underwent arthrodesis, had grade 2 or 3 radiotracer uptake, and the primary arthrodesis joints were healed and fused in all these cases. Bone SPECT/CT is a valuable hybrid imaging tool in the evaluation of foot and ankle arthrodesis and gives additional useful information about the development of secondary osteoarthritis in the adjacent joints with higher value for the assessment of secondary osteoarthritis. A practical four-type classification ('Lucerne Criteria') combining metabolic and morphologic SPECT/CT information for evaluation of arthrodesis joints has been proposed.

Role of Contrast Enhanced CT in Assessment of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Comparison to Ultrasonography

Background Clinical examination fails to accurately diagnose many intraabdominal injuries in blunt abdomen and hence there is a well need for a good imaging technique.US and CT satisfy this to a great extent. With minimum technical limitations and a short time for examination US and CT become extremely useful in guiding the trauma surgeon. CECT is a highly useful imaging modality for diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. However US can be used as a useful initial modality. US and CT grading were of not much impact in the management of liver trauma, however extremely useful in the decision making of renal trauma and to a lesser extent in splenic injuries. CT is excellent in picking up clinically unsuspected trauma especially involving liver, kidney and bowel. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to define and compare the role of CE-MDCT and FAST in detection of intraabdominal organs’ injuries and hemoperitoneum. And to highlight the value added by CE- MDCT in hemodynamically stable patients providing an accurate and highly sensitive diagnostic method for blunt abdominal trauma. Patients and Methods A prospective study was done in radio diagnosis department in Al Sherouk Police hospitals, and Zagzaig university hospitals-radiology department – ultrasound and CT units. 12 months, from 1/11/2018 to 1/11/2019. Results In this study CT detected 18 cases of splenic trauma compared to US which detected only 10 cases. Of the 8 additional cases detected on CT two were of grade IV injury and required surgery. CE-MDCT detected100% of splenic injuries confirmed clinically/surgically thus has been the gold standard method of detecting splenic injuries. CT detected 41 cases of haemoperitoneum which is 91% among all the cases of blunt injury to the abdomen. Conclusion CT is a superior diagnositic modality in the diagnosis of abdominal trauma.

CASS – A cost-effective strategy in the management of blunt trauma abdomen

Background: Abdominal trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. Management of blunt trauma abdomen (BTA) relies on most importantly, the clinical presentation of the patient. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at determining the accuracy of the clinical abdominal scoring system (CASS) in predicting the need for operative management of blunt abdominal trauma patients and also comparing the CASS score with the American association for the surgery of trauma – computed tomography (AAST CT) score. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients with BTA presenting to the Government tertiary care center Mysore were evaluated for age, sex, type of trauma, systolic blood pressure, Glasgow coma scale, pulse rate, time of presentation after trauma, abdominal clinical findings, respiratory rate, and hemoglobin concentration. Radiological investigations were done as indicated. CASS score was calculated and a comparison of the same with CT findings, in determining the need for laparotomy, was studied. Patients with co-existing head injuries and comorbidities were excluded from the study. Results: Among 50 cases, 44 were male accounting for 88% of the study population and 6 were female. The majority belonged to 18–30 years of age, accounting for 46%. In 42% of cases, a road trafficaccident was the mode of injury, followed by a fall from height in 4%. Latent period 52% of cases presented to the hospital between 0 and 6 h of the incident. 10% associated chest injuries. 42% showed splenic injury, thereby making it the most commonly injured organ. 28% had the liver injury. 28% had hemoperitoneum with source of bleed being unknown. Conclusion: CASS is a reliable and promising scoring system with sensitivity comparable to AAST CT grading in determining the need for surgical intervention in BTA patients. CASS provides an effective means of saving time and resources and gives the added advantage of avoiding expenses to underprivileged patients in our country.

Radiographic grading system for usual interstitial pneumonia correlates with mortality and may serve as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials

PurposeUsual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IFP) is a relentlessly progressive lung disease with outcomes similar to cancer. We have previously established a radiologic grading system for UIP and demonstrated that it correlates with pulmonary function tests; here we test the hypothesis that it correlates with mortality. Validating a correlation with mortality will demonstrate the utility of this system for monitoring progression over time clinically and in trials of anti-fibrotic agents. MethodsWe searched the radiology record system “Catalyst” to identify cases and reviewed each case to confirm the diagnosis. 94 patients met the inclusion criteria for further assessment. Chest CT grade was determined by consensus of two cardiothoracic radiologists. Data was analyzed to identify the interval between chest CT and death. This interval was correlated with CT grade using Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsFor all cases, chest CT grade and mortality demonstrated a positive correlation of rs = 0.37732, 2-tailed p = 0.00018. We also employed subgroup analysis; for the subgroup with intervals less than or equal to 100 days, there was a positive correlation, rs = 0.48339, 2-tailed p = 0.03602; for the subgroup with an interval greater than 100 days between imaging and death there was a positive correlation, rs = 0.302, 2-tailed p = 0.00846. ConclusionThese data support use of this system for monitoring clinical progression and as a surrogate endpoint for clinical trials. Future work building upon the data presented here will evaluate its utility in clinical trials and develop automated grading.

Interrater Agreement of CT Grading of Blunt Splenic Injuries: Does the AAST Grading Need to Be Reimagined?

Introduction: The Revised Organ Injury Scale (OIS) of the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) is the most widely accepted classification of splenic trauma. The objective of this study was to evaluate inter-rater agreement for CT grading of blunt splenic injuries. Methods: CT scans in adult patients with splenic injuries at a level 1 trauma centre were independently graded by 5 fellowship trained abdominal radiologists using the AAST OIS for splenic injuries - 2018 revision. The inter-rater agreement for AAST CT injury score, as well as low-grade (IIII) versus high-grade (IV-V) splenic injury was assessed. Disagreement in two key clinical scenarios (no injury versus injury, and high versus low grade) were qualitatively reviewed to identify possible sources of disagreement. Results: A total of 610 examinations were included. The inter-rater absolute agreement was low (Fleiss kappa statistic 0.38, P < 0.001), but improved when comparing agreement between low and high grade injuries (Fleiss kappa statistic of 0.77, P < .001). There were 34 cases (5.6%) of minimum two-rater disagreement about no injury vs injury (AAST grade ≥ I). There were 46 cases (7.5%) of minimum two-rater disagreement of low grade (AAST grade I-III) versus high grade (AAST grade IV-V) injuries. Likely sources of disagreement were interpretation of clefts versus lacerations, peri-splenic fluid versus subcapsular hematoma, application of adding multiple low grade injuries to higher grade injuries, and identification of subtle vascular injuries. Conclusion: There is low absolute agreement in grading of splenic injuries using the existing AAST OIS for splenic injuries.

Characteristics and outcomes of surgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms at a tertiary care institution in Trinidad &amp; Tobago – a descriptive report

ABSTRACT Objectives Reports on the management and outcomes of intracranial aneurysms are sparse from the English-Speaking Caribbean. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and outcomes of surgically clipped ruptured intracranial aneurysms undertaken by a single neurosurgeon, under the unique challenges faced in a low-resources setting. Methods The neurosurgical operative logbook from the period July 1st 2018 - July 31st 2021 was examined to identify all patients who had surgically clipped cerebral aneurysms at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Trinidad and Tobago. Patients’ charts were reviewed to assess risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, positive family history, aneurysm grades and types, including presenting Hunt and Hess (HH) Grade, modified Fisher CT Grade, time to definitive surgery and Glasgow Outcome Scale - extended (GOSE). Results Twenty-six patients underwent open surgical aneurysmal clipping, between the ages of 20 – 73 years. Posterior communicating artery aneurysms (35%) and anterior communicating artery aneurysms (38%) were the most commonly encountered types of aneurysms. One half of patients were HH Grade 1, and 58% were Fisher Grade 4. Time to clipping ranged from 3 – 62 days, with a mean of 12 days. About 42% of aneurysms were clipped prior to the peak vasospasm period, while 61% were clipped within 14 days. Following the procedure, 62% of patients had GOSE score of 8 (maximum function). Conclusion Surgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms may yield good patient outcomes even in a low-resource setting, despite challenges faced due to limited resources and operating time. Clipping during peak vasospasm period did not result in worse outcomes. The establishment of a neurovascular service may be beneficial even in low-resource settings. Keywords Intracranial aneurysm; clipping; endovascular; Trinidad and Tobago; Caribbean

Correlation Between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelets-Lymphocyte Ratio, and High-Resolution CT in Patients with COVID-19

Background: COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that necessitates simple and rapid methods for recognising severe patients. Aims: To correlate between chest lesions in CT, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelets-lymphocytes ratio in patients with COVID-19, and to detect their cut-off values as an early warning of severe COVID-19 in Egyptian patients. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 100 adult patients with COVID-19 attending Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological assessments were done. They were classified according to their CT grades into three groups: seven patients with a normal chest CT, 45 non-severe cases, and 48 severe cases. Results: Dyspnoea was the most common symptom among the severe cases (79.2%) and fever among non-severe cases (71.1%), while cough (85.7%) was the most common among cases with a normal CT. The age, NLR, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer of severe cases were significantly the highest, while the absolute lymphocytes were significantly the lowest. Highly significant positive correlations were found between CT grades with D-dimer, NLR, and CRP; significant positive correlation was found with age; and significant negative correlation with CT. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, areas under the curve of D-dimer, NLR, age, CRP, ferritin, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were 0.760, 0.698, 0.640, 0.627, 0.614, and 0.595, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of NLR was 2.50 with 0.74 specificity, 0.61 sensitivity, and 67.5 accuracy. Conclusion: NLR is a reliable and easy-to-use predictor of COVID-19 severity. NLR (&gt;2.5) should prompt prescription of a chest CT as it could reveal essential lesions that influence further management.

A real world study of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody in the treatment of allergic united airway disease

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) in the treatment of allergic united airway disease (UAD) in the real-wold. Methods: Retrospective cohort study summarizes the case data of patients with allergic united airway disease who were treated with anti IgE monoclonal antibody (omalizumab) for more than 16 weeks from March 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022 in the Peking University First Hospital.The allergic UAD is defined as allergic asthma combined with allergic rhinitis (AA+AR) or allergic asthma combined with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (AA+CRSwNP) or allergic asthma combined with allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps (AA+AR+CRSwNP). The control of asthma was evaluated by asthma control test (ACT), lung function test and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The AR was assessed by total nasal symptom score (TNSS). The CRSwNP was evaluated by nasal visual analogue scale (n-VAS), sino-nasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), nasal polyps score (TPS) and Lund-Mackay sinus CT grading system. The global evaluation of omalizumab for the treatment of allergic UADwas performed by Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness(GETE).The drug-related side effects were also recorded. Matched t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the score changes of IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) before and after treatment, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) response. Results: A total of 117 patients with UAD were enrolled, ranging in age from 19 to 77 years; The median age of patients was 48.7 years; Among them, 60 were male, ranging from 19 to 77 years old, with a median age of 49.9 years; There were 57 females, ranging from 19 to 68 years old, with a median age of 47.2 years. There were 32 cases in AA+AR subgroup, 59 cases in AA+CRSwNP subgroup, and 26 cases in AA+AR+CRSwNP subgroup. The total serum IgE level was 190.5 (103.8,391.3) IU/ml. The treatment course of anti IgE monoclonal antibody was 24 (16, 32) weeks. Compared with pre-treatment, omalizumab increased ACT from 20.0 (19.5,22.0) to 24.0 (23.0,25.0) (Z=-8.537, P<0.001), increased pre-bronchodilator FEV1 from 90.2 (74.8,103.0)% predicted value to 95.4 (83.2,106.0)% predicted value (Z=-5.315,P<0.001), increased FEV1/FVC from 80.20 (66.83,88.38)% to 82.72 (71.26,92.25)% (Z=-4.483,P<0.001), decreased FeNO from(49.1±24.8) ppb to (32.8±24.4) ppb (t=5.235, P<0.001), decreased TNSS from (6.5±2.6)to (2.4±1.9) (t=14.171, P<0.001), decreased n-VAS from (6.8±1.2) to (3.4±2.0)(t=14.448, P<0.001), decreased SNOT-22 from (40.0±7.9) to (21.3±10.2)(t=15.360, P<0.001), decreased TPS from (4.1±0.8) to (2.4±1.0)(t=14.718, P<0.001) and decreased Lund-Mackay CT score from (6.0±1.3) to (3.1±1.6)(t=17.012, P<0.001). The global response rate to omalizumab was 67.5%(79/117). The response rate in AA+AR (90.6%,29/32) was significantly higher than that in AA+CRSwNP (61.0%,36/59) and AA+AR+CRSwNP (53.8%,14/26) subgroups (χ2=11.144,P=0.004). Only 4 patients (3.4%,4/117) had mild side effects. Conclusion: The real-world study showed favorable effectiveness and safety of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for treatment of allergic UAD. To provide basis for preventing the progress and precise treatment of allergic UAD.

Human epididymis protein 4 as a clinical biomarker in identifying interstitial lung disease in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) can differentiate interstitial lung disease from patients with some rheumatic diseases. However, the clinical utility of HE4 in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) remains unclear. 80 IIM patients and 91 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded at baseline and 12weeks. HE4 was tested by the method of electrochemical luminescence. Compared to HCs, the levels of HE4 significantly elevated in IIM patients. Patients with elevated HE4 had a higher interstitial lung disease (ILD) prevalence. Among patients with ILD, histological patterns of organizing pneumonia had higher HE4 levels than non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Further, there was a positive correlation between HE4 and the semi-quantitative CT grade (r=0.778, p<0.001) and a negative relation between HE4 and the percentage of forced vital capacity (p<0.001) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) (p=0.001). An optimal cut-off value of HE4 (79.6pmol/L) for distinguishing IIM-ILD was analyzed by ROC analysis with an AUC of 0.733 (p=0.002). Regression analysis revealed that elevated HE4 independently identified IIM-related ILD (OR 34.8, 95%CI, 3.58-338.14, p=0.002). With the improvement after treatment, serum HE4 levels were significantly decreased (p=0.006), accompanied by improved DLco% (p=0.012). Serum HE4 was significantly elevated in patients with IIM and may be utilized as a serum biomarker to evaluate the disease severity and prognosis of IIM-related ILD.