Positive CT Research Articles

Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Blunt Trauma Patients for the Early Diagnosis of Intra-Abdominal Injuries

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma is seen with increasing frequency in emergency rooms and is continuous to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Intra-abdominal injuries following blunt trauma are of great medico-legal importance to forensic experts. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the contribution of non-invasively and rapidly obtained clinical presentation and biochemical parameters in the early diagnosis of intra- abdominal (IA) injuries in blunt trauma patients, then develop a scoring system and investigate its clinical applicability as pre-test to determine whether abdominal CT should be performed during the diagnosis or not. This may help to decrease number of malpractice claims due to medical negligence. Methods and results: A prospective study was conducted on 30 adult patients with blunt abdominal trauma presented to Emergency department (ED) of Ain shams university hospitals (ASUHS). Patients were classified into two groups: group 1: adult patients with blunt abdominal trauma with normal CT abdomen. Group 2: adult patients with blunt abdominal trauma with abnormal CT abdomen. For every patient, demographic, trauma, and clinical data were collected. Laboratory parameters measured included blood hemoglobin level, liver enzymes, kidney function tests, pancreatic enzymes and finally CT abdomen was done. The mean age for the adult patients with blunt abdominal trauma was 34 ± 11 years. Male to female ratio was 2:1 with no significant importance. There was no significant difference between both groups of the study as regards aetiology and delay time of trauma and the most common cause of BAT was motor car accidents that compromised (36.7%) of all patients. There was no significant difference between both groups of study as regards abdominal symptoms and signs. Regarding vital signs, incidence of patients with high pulse rate per minute more than 100 bpm and high respiratory rate more than 20 brpm were highly significant in group II than group I. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding blood pressure. As regards the conscious level, there was significant difference between both groups of study. Hemoglobin level was significantly lower group II than group I with cutoff point level equal to or less than 9.8gm/dl. AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, amylase and lipase levels showed no significant difference between both groups. According to CT, the spleen was the most injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma patients (43.8%) followed by the liver 4 cases (25%). Conclusion: A scoring system could be done by the sum of points obtained from each parameter (Hb level, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and conscious level). The score points range from (0-4). It was found that the patients with score (0-2) were mainly with normal CT abdomen. On the other hand, patients with score (1-4) were mainly with positive CT findings. So, this scoring system can be used for the early prediction of the presence of IAIs in BAT patients and as a pretest for the need of CT. Recommendations: Blood hemoglobin level, pulse rate, respiratory rate and conscious level can be used as early predictors of IAIs in BAT patients. A scoring system using blood hemoglobin, pulse rate, respiratory rate and conscious level can be used as a pretest probability to determine the need for abdominal CT for the detection of intra-abdominal injury.

Accuracy of Noncontrast CT Brain in Detection of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Background and Purpose: Increasing concern of cerebral venous thrombosis due to treatable and curable causes of stroke. The diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is challenged due to nonspecific clinical symptomatology. Patients may present at an emergency room with a variety of neurological conditions such as severe headache, weakness, seizure, etc. Neuroimaging, particularly noncontrast cranial computed tomography (NCCT), is an investigation of choice in differentiation and triage the patients for further treatment. CT is sensitive in the detection of acute thrombosis or blood clots in all regions of the body. We hypothesize that NCCT might be sensitive to diagnose cerebral venous thrombosis immediately. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively review the electronic database of our patients, there are 27 patients with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (SVT) and 4 patients with cerebral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Other 79 patients present with clinically diagnosed cerebral venous thrombosis but the final result can exclude cerebral venous thrombosis. We use MR imaging and CT venography as the gold standard. Independently reviewed by two neuroradiologists for CT direct sign and CT indirect signs that suggest SVT or DVT. CT direct signs for SVT and DVT are the presence of hyperdensity in the sinus venous or deep venous system (cord sign, attenuated vein sign) and CT indirect signs are the changes in brain parenchyma (brain edema, hemorrhagic infarction). Results: Sensitivity and specificity of NCCT in detection attenuated vein sign and diagnosis DVT are 75% and 100% whereas the sensitivity and specificity of NCCT in detection cord sign and diagnosis SVT are 43.8% and 99.7% as respectively. Conclusions: NCCT might not sensitive in detection of SVT without CT direct sign which needs further investigation. However, NCCT might beneficial for emergency conditions such as DVT patients, cortical vein thrombosis and also in SVT patients with the positive CT direct sign.

Does CT help in reducing RT-PCR false negative rate for COVID-19?

Background:Early detection is the key to contain the ongoing pandemic. The current gold standard to detect SARS CoV2 is RT-PCR. However, it has a high false negative rate and long turnaround time.Purpose:In view of the high sensitivity of CT in detection of lower respiratory tract pathologies, a study of 2581 patients comparing RT-PCR status with CT findings was undertaken to see if it augments the diagnostic performance.Materials and Methods:A multi centre prospective study of consecutive cases was conducted. All CT studies suggestive of COVID 19 pneumonia were collated and evaluated independently by three Radiologists to confirm the imaging diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The RT-PCR values were retrospectively obtained, based on the RT-PCR values, CT studies were categorised into three subgroups, positive, negative and unknown. CT features from all three groups were compared to evaluate any communality or discordance.Results:Out of the 2581 patients with positive CT findings for COVID pneumonia, 825 were females and 1,756 were males in a wide age group of 28-90 years. Predominant CT features observed in all the subgroups were Ground glass densities 94.8%, in mixed distribution (peripheral and central) (59.12%), posterior segments in 92% and multilobar involvement in 70.9%. The CT features across the three subgroups were statistically significant with a P value <0.001.Conclusion:There was a communality of CT findings regardless of RT-PCR status. In a pandemic setting ground glass densities in a subpleural, posterior and basal distribution are indicative of COVID 19. Thus CT chest in conjunction to RT PCR augments the diagnosis of COVID 19 pneumonia; utilization of CT chest may just be the missing link in closing this pandemic.

Application of chest CT scans in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID⁃19

Objective: To investigate the role of chest CT scan in the diagnosis and evaluation of COVID⁃19 by analyzing the imaging features of patients with COVID⁃19 at different stages. Methods: The clinical data and radiologic findings were retrospectively collected in medical staff who were confirmed COVID⁃19 and admitted in our hospital from January 10 to March 20, 2020. We analyzed the characteristics of clinical manifestations, the frequency and interval of chest CT scans in the course of illness, imaging features in different stages of diseases, and the CT imaging outcomes during follow⁃up. Results: A total of 95 patients who met the criteria were included. The average time from symptom onset to aggravation and to alleviation were 8.3 days and 17.6 days, respectively. Patients received an average of 5 chest CT scans. The average intervals from onset to the first positive CT signs, the most serious CT signs, and the CT signs starting to disappear were 3.5 days, 7.8 days and 15.7 days, respectively. The mean CT follow⁃up time were 38.2 days. The lung lesions were completely absorbed on CT images in 38 patients, or presented with disappearing of the CT signs in the other patients. No patients had serious fibrosis residues. Conclusion: Chest CT has high sensitivity for early diagnosis of COVID⁃19. The moderate and some serious COVID⁃19 patients have good outcomes on CT images by recent follow⁃up. The changes of clinical symptoms are consistent with the changes of chest CT signs, and both are easy indicators for the outcomes of COVID⁃19 patients. © 2021, Editorial Board of Medical Journal of Wuhan University. All right reserved.

The validity of Protein S 100B in Mild Pediatric Head Trauma

Background; S100B has been shown to be beneficial as a biomarker in the treatment of adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The efficacy of S100B as a biomarker in children, on the other hand, has been a subject of debate. Aim and objectives; was to assess the validity of Protein S 100B in Mild Pediatric Head trauma. Subjects and methods; this was a prospective study, included 160 pediatric patients with mild head trauma presented to Emergency Department. Result; A highly significant correlation between Positive S100B protein and traumatic brain injury with S100B protein value 1554.1±84.0 ng/L. A100 had cutoff value for positive CT Brain finding above 987.5 ng/L, The sensitivity was 81.0%, the specificity was 75%%, the NPV was 86%, the PPV was 68%, and overall accuracy 77%. There was none statistical significant difference regarding severity of brain injury and S100 B (P = 0.225), Conclusion; Serum S100B levels cannot be used to substitute clinical examinations or CT scans in identifying pediatric patients with mild head injuries, but they can be used to identify low-risk kids to avoid excessive radiation exposure.

1527. Incident Sexually Transmitted Infections among Southern Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV in the Era of Biomedical Prevention

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM) in the U.S. Deep South. The South also continues to bear the majority of incident HIV in the U.S.; concomitantly, STIs have increased among MSM in this region. HIV virologic suppression effectively prevents sexual transmission of HIV (treatment as prevention, TasP), but STIs occur commonly in MSM living with HIV despite this. Here, we describe the incidence of gonorrhea and chlamydia in MSM living with HIV in the context of their viral load (VL) management from 2016 to 2019.MethodsWe analyzed data from adult MSM living with HIV from 2016-2019 in HIV care in Birmingham, AL. Eligible MSM were prospectively enrolled in the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Sites (CNICS) and had documentation of at least one HIV viral load and one STI test (gonorrhea or chlamydia at any anatomic site) in the same calendar year. Demographic data is presented by year. STI incident rates were calculated by year by viral load (VL) category, suppressed (VL < 200 copies/ml) and unsuppressed (VL ≥ 200 copies/ml), with incident rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals for comparing suppressed VL to unsuppressed VL.ResultsThe study cohort included 943, 1084, 1080, and 1106 MSM in each year from 2016-2019, respectively. Of these men, 551 (58%), 623 (58%), 639 (63%), and 676 (61%) were Black or African American with a median age (years) of 46, 45, 44, and 43 from 2016-2019. Most had VL < 200 (79%, 81%, 82%, and 80% from 2016-2019). There were 100, 131, 139, and 168 men with positive GC or CT results per year from 2016-2019. The annual incident rates per 100 person years (PY) for MSM by suppressed and unsuppressed VL as well as IRR are presented in Table 1; the IRR ranged from 3.00-4.34 through the study period. Figure 1 shows incidence rate by VL category. Figure 1. Incidence Rate by Viral Load Category. PY, person years. ConclusionIn this cohort, incident bacterial STIs were common and increased each year in this analysis for both groups, reflecting national STI trends. MSM with suppressed VL had higher bacterial STI incidence rates and higher risk for incident STI compared to MSM with unsuppressed VL. Novel approaches to STI prevention, such as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis or vaccines, are necessary to alter the STI epidemic in this population and limit its impact on HIV transmission.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

The utility of head CT scans in geriatric patients with hip fractures following a low energy injury mechanism: A retrospective review.

Hip fractures are common low-energy orthopaedic injuries in the geriatric population. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of CT head exams and the incidence of clinically significant intracranial bleed in patients with low energy hip fractures. A retrospective cross-sectional review was completed to identify hip fractures presenting to an academic health centre between 2006 and 2015. Our inclusion criteria were those patients with low energy hip fractures and medical records were reviewed to determine whether a CT head scan was utilized as part of their workup. A total of 2114 patients were reviewed with an average age of 83.2 years. Hip fractures were treated with a hemiarthroplasty in 59.1% of the patients and with a dynamic hip screw in 40.9% of the patients. 26.9% (n=502) of the patients received a CT head scan as part of their workup. Sixty-two patients (12.3% of patients who received a CT scan or 2.9% of the study population) were found to have had an acute intracranial bleed. None of these patients required neurosurgical intervention and only 9 (14.5% of patients with a positive CT head) had a modification to their thromboprophylaxis post-op. Of the 15 (26.4%) patient on home anticoagulation for a pre-existing medical condition, 10 (67%) had a delay in reinitiating their anticoagulation greater than 24h post-operatively. During the study period, 26.7% of patients received a CT scan, with only 2.9% of patients suffering from a concurrent intracranial bleed. None of the patients with a positive scan required neurosurgical intervention, and scan results did not routinely alter DVT prophylaxis. Resuming home anticoagulation was delayed greater than 24h post-operatively in ten (67%) of cases. With the challenges of resource allocation, potential delays to surgery and costs associated with CT scans, these investigations should be reserved for patients who have a history or physical exam findings of head trauma or are on anticoagulation pre-injury in the low energy hip fracture population. Level III.

Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Screening and Detection.

Lung cancer is the leading worldwide cause of cancer mortality, as it is often detected at an advanced stage. Since 2011, low-dose CT scan-based screening has promised a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality. However, effectiveness of screening has been limited by eligibility only for a high-risk population of heavy smokers and a large number of false positives generated by CT. Biomarkers have tremendous potential to improve early detection of lung cancer by refining lung cancer risk, stratifying positive CT scans, and categorizing intermediate-risk pulmonary nodules. Three biomarker tests (Early CDT-Lung, Nodify XL2, Percepta) have undergone extensive validation and are available to the clinician. The authors discuss these tests, with their clinical applicability and limitations, current ongoing evaluation, and future directions for biomarkers in lung cancer screening and detection.See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, "NCI Early Detection Research Network: Making Cancer Detection Possible."

CT findings of 795 COVID-19 positive cases: a multicenter study in Egypt

BackgroundCorona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was officially announced as a global pandemic by the WHO on March 11th 2020. Thorough understanding of CT imaging features of COVID-19 is essential for effective patient management; rationalizing the need for relevant research. The aim of this study was to analyze the chest CT findings of patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proved COVID-19 admitted to four Egyptian hospitals. The recently published RSNA expert consensus statement on reporting COVID-19 chest CT findings was taken into consideration.ResultsNormal CT “negative for COVID-19” was reported in 26.1% of our RT-PCR proved COVID-19 cases. In descending order of prevalence, imaging findings of the positive CT studies (73.9%) included GGO (69%), consolidation (49.7%), crazy paving (15.4%), and peri-lobular fibrosis (40.6%). These showed a dominantly bilateral (68.2%), peripheral (72.4%), and patchy (64.7%) distribution. Remarkably, thymic hyperplasia was identified in 14.3% of studies. According to the RSNA consensus, CT findings were classified as typical in 68.9%, indeterminate in 3.6%, and atypical in 1.4% of the evaluated CT studies.ConclusionAlthough COVID-19 cannot be entirely excluded by chest CT, it can be distinguished in more than two-thirds of cases; making CT a widely available, non-invasive, and rapid diagnostic tool.

Abstract 17409: Improved Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease Using Cardiac CT Compared With Exercise Stress Testing in an Urban Public Hospital Patient Population

Introduction: Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with the disease burden particularly high in various racial and ethnic groups. In serving an underserved population comprised largely of Hispanic and African American individuals, it is crucial for an urban public hospital to diagnose heart disease in a resource-efficient and cost-effective manner. The greater positive predictive value of cardiac CT relative to exercise stress testing presents the opportunity for such hospitals to optimize resource utilization in identifying patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypothesis: The positive predictive value of cardiac CT in diagnosing CAD is greater than that of exercise stress testing in the patient population served by an urban public hospital. Methods: Patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Torrance, California) were identified for inclusion in this observational study on the basis of a positive (i.e., abnormal) exercise stress test result or a positive cardiac CT result, during the period between January 2015 and September 2019. These patients were subsequently referred for invasive coronary artery angiography, with the diagnosis of obstructive CAD established by an indication for revascularization via percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Data were analyzed using a two-tailed Z-test for two proportions. Results: Seventy-six catheterization laboratory results were analyzed. Fifteen subjects with an abnormal exercise stress test result, out of a total of 41 (36.6%), had an indication for PCI or CABG. Twenty-five cardiac CT imaging subjects, out of a total of 35 (71.4%), had an indication for PCI or CABG. The proportion of positive cardiac CT results with an indication for PCI or CABG was significantly higher than the abnormal exercise stress test proportion (p=0.0024). Conclusions: Among urban public hospital patients who were referred for invasive coronary artery angiography, it was determined that cardiac CT provides a greater positive predictive value in the diagnosis of obstructive CAD than exercise stress testing. This result may help guide the optimal allocation of diagnostic resources in an urban public hospital.

Actions of L-Glutamine vs. COVID-19 Suggest Additional Benefit in Sickle Cell Disease

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a 3- to 9-fold higher age-adjusted mortality in African American and Hispanic populations, the major US racial groups affected by sickle cell disease (SCD). The Centers for Disease Control designates SCD as a condition at increased risk for severe COVID-19. An urgent need for repurposing of available and safe therapeutics has been cited for such high-risk populations until vaccines are widely available.L-glutamine (GLN) ameliorates clinical pathology of SCD related to elements of COVID-19. Multiple systemic complications of COVID-19 are increasingly attributed to oxidative damage, a target which GLN regulates. Prescription-grade L-glutamine (PGLG) (Endari®, Emmaus Medical) decreases oxidative stress by increasing the ratio of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to total NAD, which may increase availability of reduced glutathione. PGLG also decreases red cell endothelial adhesion in patients with SCD. Of note, additional analysis of the phase 3 trial demonstrated a 63% lower occurrence of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in PGLG-treated SCD patients compared to control, which has important relevance in the pandemic. A recent report of two computational screens of FDA-approved therapeutics, directed to protein and chemistry targets and to gene expression changes induced by SARS-CoV-2, predicts glutathione and GLN are highly likely to confer benefit in COVID-19 (Kim, J Translat Med, 2020).Methods:We therefore reviewed reports of multi-system effects of GLN in experimental respiratory distress animal models and in ICU and COVID-19 patients. We focused on contributors to cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the leading causes of mortality in COVID-19 (Huang, Lancet, 2020). We also conducted a clinical trial in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on ESPEN-recommended nutrition +/- GLN.Results:In experimental ARDS, sepsis, and endotoxin-induced lung injury, GLN decreases consolidation, pulmonary edema, and neutrophil infiltration and increases lung compliance, oxygen saturation, heat shock protein activation, and survival by 2.5-fold over saline controls (Perng WC, Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 2010; Singleton, Crit Care Med, 2005). Patients with severe COVID-19 have increased proinflammatory cytokines; interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels predict and contribute to severity of COVID-19 (Yuki, Clin Immunol, 2020). GLN modulates inflammatory responses by suppressing C-reactive protein, IL-6, and TNF-α release; it also reduces IL-6 in murine studies (37% decrease,p< 0.05; Chuang, BMC Pulm Med, 2014), which could benefit COVID-19 patients.Myocardial injury occurs in up to 12% of COVID-19 patients directly with viral entry through ACE-2 receptors, microvascular damage, endothelial shedding, and inflammation-mediated damage, which GLN protects against (Shi, Eur Heart J, 2020; Shi, JAMA Cardiol, 2020; Shao, Pak J Med Sci, 2015). Inflammatory states lead to GLN consumption and negative GLN balance (Santos, Amino Acids, 2019). Deficient plasma GLN (< 420 µmol/L) is a defined risk for higher mortality in ICU and COVID-19 patients (Shen, Cell, 2020). Glutathione deficiency contributes to SARS-CoV-2 oxidative lung damage and severe disease (Polonikov, ACS Infect Dis, 2020).In a recent clinical trial, patients were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, had positive CT scans, and were admitted from a COVID-19 clinic. Both arms received ESPEN-recommended nutrition for COVID-19 alone or with GLN (10 grams, 3 times/day; see Table).Conclusions:GLN and glutathione deficiency contribute to COVID-19 severity, and GLN has salutary biologic actions on reducing lung pathology, mediators of cytokine storm, and myocardial injury in animal models, SCD, and ICU patients. GLN reduces severity in standard risk COVID-19 patientsafterinfection has occurred. These findings, combined with computational prediction of GLN benefit vs. COVID-19, support the hypothesis that PGLG treatmentprior toSARS-CoV-2 infection mayreducethe development of severe COVID-19 in SCD and perhaps other high-risk populations. The data as a whole provides a strong rationale for a controlled clinical trial of PGLG toreducesevere COVID-19 in high-risk SCD patients and improve outcomes if infection occurs.DisclosuresCengiz:Biruni University Medical Faculty:Current Employment;Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Yavuzer:Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics:Current Employment.Yavuzer:Biruni University Medical Faculty:Current Employment;Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Mediacl Faculty:Ended employment in the past 24 months.Tang:Kaiser Permanente:Current Employment.Ward:Emmaus Medical, Inc.:Current Employment.Goodrow:Emmaus Medical, Inc.:Current Employment;Emmaus Life Sciences Shareholder:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.Ludlum:Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.:Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.Stark:Emmaus Life Sciences Shareholder:Current equity holder in publicly-traded company;Emmaus Medical, Inc:Current Employment.Perrine:Cetya Inc.:Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees;Phoenicia Bioscience:Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees;Phoenicia Therapeutics:Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties;Boston University School of Medicine:Current Employment, Patents & Royalties;Viracta Therapeutics:Patents & Royalties.

Computed tomography combined with confirmatory tests for the diagnosis of aldosterone-producing adenoma.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, and a simpler non-invasive method for identification of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) is required to improve the standard of medical treatment for PA patients. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of hypertensive patients with an aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) ≥30 (ng/dL)/(ng/mL/h), and surgical and/or adrenal venous sampling (AVS) results served as the gold standard for APA diagnosis. The study aimed to determine whether positive CCT and SIT results plus a unilateral adrenal nodule found by CT allow unambiguous identification of an APA with high diagnostic specificity. Clinical data from 71 APA and 47 non-APA patients were collected, and logistic regression analysis was performed to construct models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the efficacy of diagnostic tests. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were similar between the post-SIT plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and post-CCT PAC (p > 0.05). The optimal post-SIT and post-CCT PAC cutoff values were 17.2 and 21.2 ng/dL, respectively. Positive CT findings combined with a post-SIT PAC >17.2 ng/dL or post-CCT PAC >21.2 ng/dL provided specificities of 97.8% and 95.7% for predicting APA, respectively. Logistic diagnostic models 1 (M1, CT finding + post-SIT PAC) and 2 (M2, CT finding + post-CCT PAC) were built, which showed equivalent diagnostic value (AUC = 0.959 and 0.932, respectively) (p > 0.05). The models combining CT findings with post-SIT PACs or post-CCT PACs represent an easier method to distinguish APA patients from other hypertensive patients with positive upright ARR results, especially in primary care where AVS may be unavailable.

Negative Whole-Body Computed Tomography Scans in Polytrauma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundWhole-body computed tomography (WBCT) has been a mainstay and an integral part of the evaluation of polytrauma patients in trauma centers and emergency departments (ED) for a comprehensive evaluation of the extent of injuries. However, routine use of WBCT remains controversial since it exposes patients to radiation and exponentially increases financial expense. The primary objective was to determine the rate of negative WBCT in polytrauma patients.Patients and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is a dedicated trauma center with a mean of 237,392 ED visits and 10,714 trauma per year. The study included all adult (≥18 years) polytrauma patients who presented to our ED, requiring trauma team activation, and underwent WBCT as part of their evaluation from January 2016 to May 2017. We excluded pediatric patients, patients transferred from another facility, and pregnant patients. The primary endpoint was to measure the rate of negative WBCT in polytraumatized patients.ResultsA total of 186 patients were included with a mean age of 28.8 ± 12.9 years. The rate of negative WBCT scans was 20.4%. The positive scans were subclassified based on the number of anatomical body regions that were affected radiologically. One body region was affected in 47 patients (31.8%), two body regions were affected in 50 patients (33.8%), and ≥3 body regions were affected in 51 patients (34.3%). In a subset analysis, we identified that oxygen saturation <94% and GCS ≤8 were associated with positive CT scans.ConclusionOur study revealed a slightly higher rate of utilization of WBCT in the management of trauma patients compared to studies with similar practice. We believe that in the correct setting with incorporating high index of suspicion, a physical examination with attention to vital signs and mental status, performing E-FAST, and dedicated X-Rays is a way to potentially reduce the use of WBCT in polytrauma patients.

Implementation of Hospital-Based Candida auris Surveillance Screening Among At-Risk Patients

Background:Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen associated with outbreaks in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Patients with C. auris can have invasive disease or asymptomatic colonization. Because C. auris can be difficult to treat and eradicate in the environment, the CDC recommends using contact precautions and sporicidal agents during patient care. After C. auris was identified in a patient from an LA County SNF (SNF-X), our institution initiated surveillance screening on high-risk patients. Methods: Nurses identified patients residing at SNF-X on admission and contacted infection prevention. These patients were placed on contact or spore precautions. Bilateral axilla and inguinal folds were swabbed with an Eswab and sent for testing by a clinical laboratory-developed RT PCR assay, which can detect C. auris with high sensitivity and specificity with a rapid turnaround time (4–6 hours). This PCR assay was based on a commercial platform IntegratedCycler (Diasorin) and reagents from the same vendor. Environmental swabs from the index patient’s room were sent for PCR by HardyCHROM Candida agar (Hardy Diagnostics) before and after cleaning with OxyCideTM. PCR-positive samples were set up for culture. Results: In total, 27 patients from SNF-X were screened by PCR. Of these patients, 15 (55%) had a tracheostomy present on admission. Moreover, 26 swabs were negative; 1 was positive in the index patient (cycle threshold [Ct] value, 26). Clinical specimens from the index patient’s blood did not grow C. auris; the tracheostomy sample grew predominantly C. albicans which made identification of C. auris challenging by culture. However, investigational testing of this sample by PCR was positive (Ct value, 31). Environmental swabs collected from the patient room were obtained before and after cleaning (Table 1); all environmental cultures were negative at 5 days. Conclusions: Developing hospital-based, high-risk patient screening for C. auris is feasible and may be useful for controlling the spread of C. auris within the community. Further study is needed to determine the usefulness of PCR for environmental testing to assess the risk of nosocomial transmission of C. auris.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN A CHILD WITH STAT3 GAIN OF FUNCTION MUTATION-ASSOCIATED INTERSITIAL LUNG DISEASE

SESSION TITLE: Fellows Pediatrics Posters SESSION TYPE: Fellow Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: STAT3 gain of function mutations are a recently described cause of autoimmunity that affect multiple organ systems, including the lungs. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was first diagnosed with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) at age 2 in the setting of lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, & autoimmune cytopenias. Treatment was initially steroids & IVIG; he later started sirolimus as a steroid-sparing agent. No genetic defect consistent with ALPS was identified though he was found to have short telomeres, of unclear significance as he did not fit a dyskeratosis congenita phenotype. Further evaluation revealed a gain of function (GOF) mutation in STAT3. At age 9, he developed dyspnea & syncope; evaluation revealed mild pulmonary hypertension (PH) with positive vasoreactivity testing and CT chest with upper-lobe predominant subpleural cystic lung disease & scattered pulmonary nodules. Immunosuppression was switched from sirolimus to mycophenolate. For the PH, he was prescribed dual oral therapy, with symptomatic improvement. He developed hypoxemia at age 11. VQ scan was notable for markedly heterogeneous perfusion despite homogenous ventilation & PFTs revealed a reduced DLCO with mild restriction. Given concern for worsening pulmonary disease in the setting of the STAT3 mutation, he was started on tocilizumab (in place of mycophenolate) with partial improvement in hypoxemia. At age 12, given persistent oxygen requirement & CT showing new upper lobe predominant mosaic attenuation with groundglass (& overall stable cystic lung disease), he started ruloxitinib with some improvement in his dyspnea & hypoxemia. Since tocilizumab & ruloxitinib were initiated, his TLC & DLCO have normalized. DISCUSSION: In the largest series of patients with STAT3 GOF autoimmunity, 36% were reported to have interstitial lung disease (ILD), though none had cystic lung disease1. Upper-lobe predominant subpleural cystic disease, as seen in our patient, is most reminiscent of that often incidentally found in Trisomy 21, and has not been described in other pediatric populations2. In addition to autoimmunity related to STAT3 GOF involving the lungs, there is evidence that inappropriate activation of STAT3 is involved in the development of fibrosis in patients with UIP/IPF, suggestive of a potential alternative pathway to ILD in these patients3. Pulmonary hypertension has not previously been described as a consequence of STAT3 GOF mutations. Our patient developed PH years before he became hypoxemic, suggestive that his PH is not simply due to chronic hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient, STAT3 GOF mutation was associated with cystic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, manifestations that have not previously been described. Reference #1: Fabre A, Marchal S, Barlogis V, et al. Clinical aspects of STAT3 gain-of-function germline mutations: a systematic review. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7(6):1958-69. Reference #2: George M, Amodio J, Lee H. Cystic lung disease in Down syndrome: a case report and literature review. Case Rep Pediatr. 2016;2016:4048501. Reference #3: Pechkovsky DV, Prele CM, Wong J, et al. STAT3-mediated signaling dysregulates lung fibroblast-myofibroblast activation and differentiation in UIP/IPF. AJP. 2012;180(4):1398-1412. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Sarah Cohen, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Stephen Kirkby, source=Web Response

VP45.28: Effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review

To perform a systematic review of available published literature on pregnancies affected by COVID-19 to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, perinatal and neonatal outcomes. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and Wan Fang Data until 20 April 2020 (studies were identified through PubMed alert after 20 April 2020). Eligibility criteria included COVID-19 diagnosis, patient was pregnant on admission, availability of clinical characteristics, including maternal, perinatal or neonatal outcomes. 19 studies, including 266 pregnant women with COVID-19, were included. Among the seven case-series, the maternal age ranged from 20 to 41 years and the gestational age (GA) on admission ranged from 5 to 41 weeks. The most common symptoms were fever, cough, dyspnea and fatigue. The rate of severe pneumonia was relatively low, with the majority of the cases requiring ICU admission. Almost all cases from the case-series had positive CT chest findings. There were 6 and 22 cases that had nucleic-acid testing in vaginal mucus and breast milk, respectively, which were negative for SARS-CoV2. 177 cases had delivered, of which the majority by Caesarean section. The GA at delivery ranged from 28 to 41 weeks. Over one-third of neonates were transferred to NICU. There was one case each of neonatal asphyxia and death. There were 113 neonates that had nucleic-acid testing in throat swab, which was negative for SARS-CoV2. From the case reports, there were two maternal deaths reported. The clinical characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 are similar to those of nonpregnant adults with COVID-19. The subject of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV2 remains controversial and more data is needed to investigate this possibility.

Lung cancer screening by nodule volume in Lung-RADS v1.1: negative baseline CT yields potential for increased screening interval

ObjectivesThe 2019 Lung CT Screening Reporting & Data System version 1.1 (Lung-RADS v1.1) introduced volumetric categories for nodule management. The aims of this study were to report the distribution of Lung-RADS v1.1 volumetric categories and to analyse lung cancer (LC) outcomes within 3 years for exploring personalized algorithm for lung cancer screening (LCS).MethodsSubjects from the Multicentric Italian Lung Detection (MILD) trial were retrospectively selected by National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) criteria. Baseline characteristics included selected pre-test metrics and nodule characterization according to the volume-based categories of Lung-RADS v1.1. Nodule volume was obtained by segmentation with dedicated semi-automatic software. Primary outcome was diagnosis of LC, tested by univariate and multivariable models. Secondary outcome was stage of LC. Increased interval algorithms were simulated for testing rate of delayed diagnosis (RDD) and reduction of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) burden.ResultsIn 1248 NLST-eligible subjects, LC frequency was 1.2% at 1 year, 1.8% at 2 years and 2.6% at 3 years. Nodule volume in Lung-RADS v1.1 was a strong predictor of LC: positive LDCT showed an odds ratio (OR) of 75.60 at 1 year (p < 0.0001), and indeterminate LDCT showed an OR of 9.16 at 2 years (p = 0.0068) and an OR of 6.35 at 3 years (p = 0.0042). In the first 2 years after negative LDCT, 100% of resected LC was stage I. The simulations of low-frequency screening showed a RDD of 13.6–21.9% and a potential reduction of LDCT burden of 25.5–41%.ConclusionsNodule volume by semi-automatic software allowed stratification of LC risk across Lung-RADS v1.1 categories. Personalized screening algorithm by increased interval seems feasible in 80% of NLST eligible.Key Points• Using semi-automatic segmentation of nodule volume, Lung-RADS v1.1 selected 10.8% of subjects with positive CT and 96.87 relative risk of lung cancer at 1 year, compared to negative CT.• Negative low-dose CT by Lung-RADS v1.1 was found in 80.6% of NLST eligible and yielded 40 times lower relative risk of lung cancer at 2 years, compared to positive low-dose CT; annual screening could be preference sensitive in this group.• Semi-automatic segmentation of nodule volume and increased screening interval by volumetric Lung-RADS v1.1 could retrospectively suggest a 25.5–41% reduction of LDCT burden, at the cost of 13.6–21.9% rate of delayed diagnosis.

Low Detection Rate of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Single-Centre UK Study

PurposeCritically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at increased risk of thrombosis. There are limited data on PE rates in COVID-19 patients at presentation to the emergency department (ED). In this study, we evaluated the detection rates of PE in patients presenting to the ED with suspected and proven COVID-19. MethodsA single-centre retrospective study was undertaken of 285 consecutive patients undergoing CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) in the Emergency Department at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the United Kingdom between 25 March and 30 April 2020. At our institution, CTPA is performed in all patients undergoing CT for triage. The study group consisted of patients considered COVID-19 positive based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and CTPA findings. The detection rate of PE in COVID-19 patients was compared to patients undergoing CTPA for suspected PE only and for suspected COVID-19 with no COVID CT findings and negative PCR (control group 1); and CTPAs prior to the coronavirus pandemic (control group 2). ResultsOne of 48 patients in the study group had a PE (2%) compared to 25/215 (12%) in control group 1 and 10/50 (20%) in control group 2. Prevalence of PE in the study group was lower than in control group 1 (P = 0.058) and compared to control group 2 (P = 0.005). Eleven patients undergoing CTPA had negative PCR but positive CT for COVID-19. ConclusionDetection rate of pulmonary embolus is low in patients with COVID-19 undergoing CTPA on a triage pathway.

Empiric cone-beam CT-guided embolization in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of cone-beam CT (CBCT)-guided empirical embolization for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in patients with a positive CT angiography (CTA) but subsequent negative digital subtraction angiography (DSA). A retrospective study of consecutive LGIB patients with a positive CTA who received a DSA within 24h from January 2008 to July 2019. Patients with a positive DSA were treated with targeted embolization (TE group). Patients with a negative DSA underwent an empiric CBCT-guided embolization of the assumed ruptured vas rectum (EE group) or no embolization (NE group). Recurrent bleeding, major ischemic complications, and in-hospital mortality were compared by means of Fisher's exact test. Further subgroup analysis was performed on hemodynamic instability. Eighty-five patients (67.6years ± 15.7, 52 men) were included (TE group, n = 47; EE group, n = 19; NE group, n= 19). If DSA was positive, technical success of targeted embolization was 100% (47/47). If DSA was negative and the intention to treat by empiric CBCT-guided embolization, technical success was 100% (19/19). Recurrent bleeding rates in the TE group, EE group, and NE group were 17.0% (8/47), 21.1% (4/19), and 52.6% (10/19) respectively. Empiric CBCT-guided embolization reduced rebleeding significantly in patients with a negative DSA and hemodynamic instability (EE group, 3/10 vs NE group, 10/12, p = .027). Major ischemic complications occurred in one patient (TE group). Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 7.1% (6/85). Empiric cone-beam CT-guided embolization proved to be a feasible, effective, and safe treatment strategy to reduce rebleeding and improve clinical success in hemodynamically unstable patients with acute LGIB, positive CTA but negative DSA. • A novel transarterial embolization technique guided by cone-beam CT could be developed extending the "empiric" embolization strategy to lower gastrointestinal bleeding. • By implementing the empiric treatment strategy, nearly all patients with an active lower gastrointestinal bleeding on CTA will be eligible for a superselective empiric embolization, even if subsequent catheter angiography is negative. • In patients with a negative catheter angiography, empiric embolization reduces the rebleeding rate and, particularly in hemodynamically unstable patients, improves clinical success compared with a conservative "wait-and-see" management.

Development of clinical decision rules for traumatic intracranial injuries in patients with mild traumatic brain injury in a developing country.

The majority of clinical decision rules for prediction of intracranial injury in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) were developed from high-income countries. The application of these rules in low or middle-income countries, where the primary mechanism of injury was traffic accidents, is questionable. We developed two practical decision rules from a secondary analysis of a multicenter, prospective cohort of 1,164 patients with mild TBI who visited the emergency departments from 2013 to 2016. The clinical endpoints were the presence of any intracranial injury on CT scans and the requirement of neurosurgical interventions within seven days of onset. Thirteen predictors were included in both models, which were age ≥60 years, dangerous mechanism of injury, diffuse headache, vomiting >2 episodes, loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, posttraumatic seizure, history of anticoagulant use, presence of neurological deficits, significant wound at the scalp, signs of skull base fracture, palpable stepping at the skull, and GCS <15 at 2 hours. For the model-based score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC) was 0.85 (95%CI 0.82, 0.87) for positive CT results and 0.87 (95%CI 0.83, 0.91) for requirement of neurosurgical intervention. For the clinical-based score, the AuROC for positive CT results and requirement of neurosurgical intervention was 0.82 (95%CI 0.79, 0.85) and 0.84 (95%CI 0.80, 0.88), respectively. The models delivered good calibration and excellent discrimination both in the development and internal validation cohort. These rules can be used as assisting tools in risk stratification of patients with mild TBI to be sent for CT scans or admitted for clinical observation.