Retrospective Follow-up Research Articles

Is Endoscopic Resection for Type 1 Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumors Essential for Treatment?: Multicenter, Retrospective Long-term Follow-up Results

Background/Aims: Treatment of gastric neuroendocrine tumors is determined by type and size of the lesion. This study aimed to compare the long-term efficacy of observation and endoscopic resection for type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors without metastasis. Materials and Methods: Among the 223 cases of gastric neuroendocrine tumors diagnosed between January 1996 and December 2011, 104 cases were type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors. Sixty-seven patients were treated endoscopically and 27 patients were observed without treatment. Endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and polypectomy were the meth- ods used for endoscopic treatment. Therapeutic efficacy and rates of complication and recurrence were evaluated retrospectively. Results: In the endoscopic resection group, complete resection was observed in 53 patients (79.1%), and recurrence was observed in 14 patients (20.9%). On analysis of the observation group, no change was observed in 19 patients (70.4%), and tumor pro- gression was observed in 8 patients (29.6%). Median follow-up duration was 49 months (31∼210 months). No mortality was re- ported in either group during follow-up. Conclusions: Observation of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors without metastasis yields results similar to those produced by endoscopic resection. Observation alone may be a safe treatment. (Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res 2016;16:13-18)

Long-term results of surgically treated calcaneal fractures: an analysis with a minimum follow-up period of twenty years.

Long-term results after treatment of calcaneal fractures are rare. For this reason, we conducted a retrospective follow-up after a minimum of 20years post surgery. Between 1990 and 1994, a total of 66 patients received surgical treatment for displaced calcaneal fractures. At that time, osteosynthesis was performed using small, one-third tubular plates. After collecting empirical data, we conducted a follow-up at least 20years post surgery using X-ray imaging and clinical questionnaires (AOFAS and SF-36 questionnaire). It was possible to recruit a total of 22/66 patients (33%) after a mean of 22years (range, 20-24) post surgery. With regard to the AOFAS scores (mean value, 74 points), 12 showed very good or good results, four showed average and six poor results. Patients with orthopaedic shoes also had low AOFAS scores. The Boehler's angle had been increased from +2° prior to surgery to +21° post-operatively. At the time of follow-up, the mean value was +17°. The angle correlated with the AOFAS score. Also, the SF-36 physical score was clearly reduced when compared to a general population, and correlated significantly with the AOFAS score. There is still no evidence that open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures results in better outcomes than conservative therapy. This has been confirmed by our long-term results that provided disillusioning results: in a small population, only 55% of the patients showed very good or good clinical overall results. Furthermore, SF-36 showed impaired physical subscores, which correlated significantly with the AOFAS.

Improving outcomes in pilonidal sinus disease

BackgroundOptimal surgical treatment for pilonidal sinus disease remains controversial. Studies in children are uncommon with overall high postoperative recurrence and infection rates (20%). Our unit adopted a technique for excision of the pilonidal sinus with primary midline closure using a full-thickness flap. We present our results of this technique in the pediatric age group. MethodsSingle-center retrospective review and telephone follow-up was performed, including all children undergoing pilonidal sinus excision from 2005 to 2014 using the same operative technique and preoperative/postoperative care. Results19 children were identified. Median age was 15years, and 47% were male. All had previously infected sinuses, with 5 requiring abscess drainage. Median follow-up was 13months (3.5–67months). Histology confirmed pilonidal sinus in 18/19 cases (one developmental malformation excluded from subsequent analysis). Recurrence requiring further surgery occurred in 4/18 (22%) patients at a median of 9months (range 8–36), wound dehiscence in 8/18 (44%), and wound infection in 5/18 (28%) cases. Laser hair removal of the natal cleft was performed in 7/18 (39%) patients with no further recurrence. ConclusionThis is the first report of this technique in children which showed a higher incidence of complications than a comparable adult study. Our study underlines the importance of accurate long-term outcomes when introducing new techniques to evaluate operation-associated morbidity. Our preliminary results of laser hair removal are promising but need to be evaluated with a prospective study.

Effect of metformin monotherapy on cardiovascular diseases and mortality: a retrospective cohort study on Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

BackgroundMany factors influence whether the first-line oral anti-diabetic drug, metformin, should be initiated to a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) early in the course of management in addition to lifestyle modifications. This study aims to evaluate the net effects of metformin monotherapy (MM) on the all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.MethodsA retrospective 5-year follow-up cohort study was conducted on Chinese adult patients with T2DM and without any CVD history under public primary care. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to compare the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD events (CHD, stroke, heart failure) between patients receiving lifestyle modifications plus MM (MM groups) and those with lifestyle modifications alone (control groups).Results3400 pairs of matched patients were compared. MM group had an incidence rate of 7.5 deaths and 11.3 CVD events per 1000 person-years during a median follow-up period of 62.5 months whereas control group had 11.1 deaths and 16.3 per 1000 person-years during a median follow-up period of 43.5–44.5 months. MM group showed a 29.5 and 30–35 % risk reduction of all-cause mortality and CVD events (except heart failure) than control group (P < 0.001). MM group was more prone to progress to chronic kidney disease but this was not statistically significant.ConclusionsType 2 diabetic patients who were started on metformin monotherapy showed improvement in many of the clinical parameters and a reduction in all-cause mortality and CVD events than lifestyle modifications alone. If there is no contraindication and if tolerated, diabetic patients should be prescribed with metformin early in the course of the diabetic management to minimize their risk of having the cardiovascular events and mortality in the long run.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-015-0304-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Hall Technique; retrospective case-note follow-up of 5-year RCT.

Few paediatric dental restorative trials present outcomes for more than two years, leaving clinicians uncertain of long-term implications for their patients. This study aimed to establish the Hall Technique's success over the lifetime of primary teeth compared to conventional restorations (CR), by following up participants in the Tayside (Scotland), UK trial. Following the Phase 1 prospective, split-mouth randomised control trial with 132 children (264 teeth) in 17 general practices in Scotland, 142/264 (54%) teeth had reached an endpoint of exfoliation or extraction. Through practices, Phase 2 follow-up data were collected retrospectively from case-notes, using original trial outcomes. Phase 1/ 2 outcome data were combined. Data were obtained up until exfoliation/extraction for 184 teeth (73%) in matched pairs. Major failures: 16 CR; 4 HT (P = 0.0015); ARR = 0.13 (95%CI: 0.04;0.22), numbers needed to treat (NNT) 8 (95%CI: 4;25) favouring HT. Minor failures: 37 CR; 5 HT (P <0.0001); ARR = 0.35 (95%CI: 0.23;0.45) and NNT = 3 (95%CI: 2;4). Repeat failures occurred mostly in the conventional restoration arm for both major and minor failures. The HT continued to outperform GDP's standard restorations in primary molar teeth with significant caries involvement over the lifetime of the teeth.

Outcome of Repaired Digital Nerve Injuries in Children – Influence of Age in a Retrospective Long-Term Follow-Up: Level 4 Evidence

Do children with a repaired digital nerve injury regain normal sensation and hand function and does age correlate with outcome? Eighty-two children, aged 1-16 years at the time of injury, were treated for a digital nerve injury between 2002-2009 at our department. All children were invited for a follow up, including clinical evaluation (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, grip strength, VAS for function and cosmetic) and questionnaires (QuickDASH, CISS). Thirty-eight children (46%) accepted and outcome was evaluated at a median of 40 months (range 12-131 months) after the injury. The study population was divided into two groups – a young group (n=18) with age 0-10 years and an older group (n=20) with age 11-16 years. Most children were boys, who were injured at home and by a cut. The level of digital nerve injury was in 20/38 (53%) patients distal to the PIP-joint and the remaining patients had an injury between the PIP-joint and the distal volar crease. The index finger was the most frequently injured finger. The median Hand Injury Severity Score (HISS) was 37 (8-137). All patients regained normal sensation based on monofilament test with limited affected hand function, although some cold sensitivity remained. We found no significant difference between younger and older children concerning HISS, Cold Sensitivity Severity Scale (CISS), QuickDASH, VAS or grip power. No correlation between age and perception of touch (i.e. monofilament test) was found. •Children (0-16 years) have an excellent recovery after a digital nerve injury and repair.•Age of the children did not affect outcome.•The majority of children have some degree of cold sensitivity.•No major hand disability was found irrespective of age.

Long-term clinical outcomes of repeat hysteroscopic endometrial ablation after failed hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

The study aims to describe patient characteristics, uterine cavity shape and histopathology, complications, and long-term clinical outcomes of women who failed hysteroscopic rollerball or loop endometrial ablation (HEA) and subsequently consented to repeat hysteroscopic endometrial ablation (RHEA), and is a retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). The study was conducted in the university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients included women who failed primary hysteroscopic endometrial ablation (PHEA, n = 183) and subsequently underwent RHEA by the senior author (GAV) from 1993 through 2007 with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. RHEA was performed under general anesthesia using 26 F (~9 mm) resectoscope, monopolar loop electrode in 136 (74.3 %), 3–5 mm rollerball in 41 (22.4 %) or combination in 6 (3.3 %) women. Patient characteristics, uterine cavity, and clinical outcomes of women who failed PHEA and subsequently consented to RHEA were evaluated by retrospective chart review and patient follow-up including office visits and/or telephone interview. The corresponding median age (range) for PHEA and RHEA was 40 (26–70) and 43 (29–76) years. Indications for PHEA included abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB, 52.7 %), AUB and dysmenorrhea (25.8 %), dysmenorrhea (18.8 %), and others (2.7 %). Indications for RHEA included persistent AUB (53 %), AUB and uterine/pelvic pain (26.2 %), uterine/pelvic pain only (19.1 %), postmenopausal bleeding (1.1 %), and thickened endometrium (0.5 %). Complications of RHEA (n = 7, 3.8 %) included false passage (3), uterine perforation (2), and bleeding (2). One patient with excessive bleeding required immediate hysterectomy. At a median follow-up of 9 years (5–19), 69 % of women avoided hysterectomy. Repeat hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is a feasible, safe, and long-term effective alternative to hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding from benign causes when performed by experienced surgeons.

Retrospective review and telephone follow-up to evaluate a physical therapy protocol for treating persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: A pilot study.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) (formerly chronic subjective dizziness) may be treated using the habituation form of vestibular and balance rehabilitation therapy (VBRT), but therapeutic outcomes have not been formally investigated. This pilot study gathered the first data on the efficacy of VBRT for individuals with well-characterized PPPD alone or PPPD plus neurotologic comorbidities (vestibular migraine or compensated vestibular deficits). Twenty-six participants were surveyed by telephone an average of 27.5 months after receiving education about PPPD and instructions for home-based VBRT programs. Participants were queried about exercise compliance, perceived benefits of therapy, degree of visual or motion sensitivity remaining, disability level, and other interventions. Twenty-two of 26 participants found physical therapy consultation helpful. Fourteen found VBRT exercises beneficial, including 8 of 12 who had PPPD alone and 6 of 14 who had PPPD with co-morbidities. Of the 14 participants who found VBRT helpful, 7 obtained relief of sensitivity to head/body motion, 5 relief of sensitivity to visual stimuli, and 4 complete remission. Comparable numbers for the 12 participants who found VBRT not helpful were 1 (head/body motion), 3 (visual stimuli), and 0 (remission). This pilot study offers the first data supporting the habituation form of VBRT for treatment of PPPD.

Safety and efficacy of the switch to generic mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus in heart transplant patients.

Generic immunosuppressants may offer economic advantages, but their use is still controversial. At our center, 55 heart transplant patients were switched from CellCept(®) to Myfenax Teva(®) (MT) (n = 51, 18% female, 8.1 ± 6.6 yr post-transplantation) and/or Prograf(®) to Tacrolimus Sandoz(®) (TS) (n = 17, 41% female, 6.6 ± 5.8 yr post-transplantation). We conducted an acute monitoring and a retrospective follow-up with regard to safety and efficacy. Acute cellular rejections (ACRs) on endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) four wk after the MT switch were specifically compared to a matched retrospective control group. Tacrolimus C0 levels (TS switch) as well as hemoglobin, leukocytes, and thrombocytes (MT switch) did not change (p = NS) during the three wk after each respective switch (8.7 ± 2.9 vs. 8.4 ± 1.9 μg/L, 129.1 ± 12.6 vs. 130.1 ± 12.8 g/L, 6.3 vs. 6.2 × 10(9) /L, and 217.4 ± 56.6 vs. 219.3 ± 61.8 × 10(9) /L, respectively). 0% of the EMBs in the MT switch vs. 3% of the EMBs in the control group showed ACR>grade 1R (p = NS). After six months, survival was 96% (MT switch) and 100% (TS switch), and the frequency of severe ACR was low. Safety parameters measured at the next annual follow-up were also stable following each switch. Switching to MT and/or TS several years after heart transplantation appeared safe in the short-term perspective, showing no detectable changes in tacrolimus C0 levels, safety or efficacy, during an average follow-up of six months.

PP07.14 – 2617: 10-year-review of West syndrome cases: Descriptive analysis and outcome prognostic factors

Objectives To describe the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed of West Syndrome (WS) during the last 10 years in our center. To analyse treatment options, clinical response and influential variables in the subsequent evolution. Methods A descriptive observational study with retrospective follow-up of WS patients in our center between years 2000 and 2010. Results 24 cases of WS were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 6 months, most of them classified as symptomatic (63%, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was the main etiology). Vigabatrin and oral prednisone were used as first-line treatments, achieving complete remission of spasms in monotherapy in 18% and 54% of cases, respectively. We analysed the evolution of each patient and variables related to it, taking into account the development of a chronic epilepsy (68% of all patients) and the degree of psychomotor retardation (moderate or severe in 63% of them). We found that the most significant factors related to the development of a chronic epilepsy were the total time with spasms and hypsarritmia (p=0.006 and 0.012, respectively) during the acute phase of WS, and the initial response to treatment (p=0.047) classified as favorable or not, independently of the treatment received. When evaluating psychomotor retardation we found that the most determining factors were those related to personal antecedents (birth type p=0.04, Apgar score Conclusion Our experience is similar to what reported previously in literature about etiology and response to treatment of WS. We furthermore provide data about significant prognostic outcome factors in WS, evaluating the risk of developing a chronic epilepsy (which is directly related to an early and favourable response in the acute phase) and the evolution to a moderate-severe psychomotor retardation (which is mostly related to the personal antecedents and underlying etiology).

Cement-associated signs of inflammation: retrospective analysis of the effect of excess cement on peri-implant tissue.

Excess cement left in the peri-implant sulcus after the placement of prosthetic restorations risks inflammation in the peri-implant tissue. While many current studies deal with the question of how to avoid undetected excess cement, relatively little is known about the clinical consequences of this complication. This study analyzed the clinical findings associated with excess cement. Further, the influence of the sojourn time of undetected excess cement in the peri-implant pocket on clinical findings was investigated. Within the scope of a retrospective clinical follow-up, the suprastructures that were originally cemented with a methacrylate cement were revised in 93 patients (171 implants). The patients were split into two groups according to the time between placement of the prosthetic restoration and revision. Group 1 (G1) had treatment revisions within 2 years of restoration placement (71 patients with 126 implants); in group 2 (G2), treatment revisions were conducted at a later time (22 patients with 45 implants). For the purpose of statistical analysis, both groups were further analyzed based on the presence/absence of excess cement at the time of revision. By definition, the average time to revision in G1 was shorter than in G2 (0.71 years versus 4.07 years). There was no significant difference in the frequency of excess cement at revision between G1 (59.5%) and G2 (62.2%). The clinical findings around the implants in G1 were significantly less severe than in G2 (bleeding on probing: G1 without excess cement--17.6%, G1 with excess cement--80%, G2 without excess cement--94.1%, G2 with excess cement--100%; suppuration: G1 without excess--0%, G1 with excess cement--21.3%, G2 without excess cement--23.3%, G2 with excess cement--89.3%). After removing the excess cement, cleaning and disinfecting the implant abutment and restoration, and using a different cement, significantly fewer signs of inflammation were found at further follow-up in both groups. Within the limitations of this retrospective observational study, excess cement was present in a high number of cement-retained implant restorations. Signs of inflammation were present in a large proportion of implants at short- to medium-term follow-up. At the time of restoration revisions, the clinical observation of previously undetected excess cement was associated with increased prevalence of inflammation. Removal of excess cement significantly reduced the signs of inflammation.

Our experience with Magerl's modified technique for stabilization of subaxial cervical spine

Aim: There are different surgical techniques for massa lateralis screw instrumentation of subaxial cervical spine--those of Roy-Camille, Magerl, Anderson, and An. Each has different starting point and trajectorys of screw implantation.For each technique there is a potential risk to affect vascular and neural structures.In this paper we share our experience in using a modified Magerl's technique for stabilization of subaxial cervical spine. Method: We present a retrospective study and clinical follow-up of 27 patients operated on the occasion of cervical injury that we have used the modified technique of Magerl. In 8 patients was carried and an anterior decompression and stabilization. Results: In these patients was carried posterior or combined -- posterior and anterior stabilization. The posterior fixation was massa lateralis with this modified technique of Magerl with multiaxial screws. With this technique were inserted 160 multiaxial screws and the most common length of the implants were 108 mm (108 from 160 or 67.5%). Conclusion: Based on world literature, experience and analysis of clinical cases, we believe that this modified technique for subaxial cervical fixation is effective (the pull-out strength approach to the strength of pedicle screw instrumentation) and is much safer. Key words: Posterior subaxial instrumentation, Magerl's technique, suaxial instability.

Retrospective follow-up of two cases of duodenal follicular lymphoma identified during complete medical check-ups

Retrospective follow-up of two cases of duodenal follicular lymphoma identified during complete medical check-ups

Time course of changes in the clinical manifestations of gout in men: data of a 7-year retrospective follow-up

To estimate the time course of changes in the clinical manifestations of gout and their risk factors during a long-term follow-up. A total of 160 male patients with gout were examined and followed up for a mean of 6.9 ± 2.0 years. Their clinical assessment included determination of the type of arthritis over time, the frequency of arthritis attacks during one year prior to the examination, the presence and number of subcutaneous tophi, inflamed joints, comorbid or co-occurring diseases (CD), allopurinol adherence, dietary compliance, frequency of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, and alcohol. The serum levels of uric acid (UA), glucose, total cholesterol, and glomerular filtration rate were estimated. The number of patients taking allopurinol increased from 19% to 64% (p < 0.0001), its average daily dose was 167.6 ± 94.6 mg. The serum level of UA decreased; 16% of the patients achieved its target level. The number of patients with chronic arthritis was not significantly changed. Their serum level of UA was unchanged; the detection rate of subcutaneous tophi and CD rose. During one year, arthritis attacks were absent in 13% of the patients; 90% of them took allopurinol. In these patients, serum UA levels and body mass index significantly declined and the rate of CD was unchanged. None of 18 patients who had their diet and no allopurinol achieved the target level of UA. Among the gouty patients, 36% refrain from the use of allopurinol, only 23% out of them require that its dose be adjusted to achieve the target level of UA. Dietary compliance is insufficient to reach the target level of UA. Chronic arthritis is associated with the increased incidence of CD.

Gender-related features of risk factors for, and age- and gender-related differences in the severity and genesis of chronic heart failure

To analyze the gender-related features of the prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) in Azerbaijan and to estimate the detection rate and risk factors of this condition in inpatients on the basis of a retrospective follow-up study. A total of 1824 case histories of CHF patients admitted with a CHF diagnosis to the Azerbaijan Research Institute of Cardiology in 2013 were analyzed. The prevalence of CHF is 51.4% among the patients admitted to the Azerbaijan Research Institute of Cardiology. The major etiological factors of CHF are ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension in 79.9% of the. There are gender-related differences in the pattern of cardiovascular diseases in the patients with CHF: IHD (prior myocardial infarction) and hypertension are more common in men and women, respectively. The incidence of CHF was 56.8% among the men; it was registered in them 1.3-fold more often than in the women; 41% of the patients with CHF were older than 60 years. CHF with a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 45% was diagnosed in 84% of the patients. Among the patients with CHF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the number of women rose up to 22%, which was twice higher than that for the men. Substantial differences were found in the etiology of CHF in men and women, as well as in patients of different ages.

Decreased muscle strength is associated with impaired long-term functional outcome after intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fracture.

To examine the long-term outcome after intramedullary nailing of femoral diaphysial fractures measured as disease-specific patient reported function, walking ability, muscle strength, pain and quality of life (QOL). Cross-sectional study. Retrospective review and follow-up with clinical examination of 48 patients treated with intramedullary nailing after femoral shaft fracture between 2007 and 2010. The patients underwent a clinical examination and assessment of walking ability, maximal muscle strength during knee flexion and extension and hip abduction. Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) and questionnaire evaluating QOL (Eq5D-5L) were completed by patients. Fourty-eight patients agreed to participate. Mean time for follow-up was 4.7 years. The mean HOOS scores were 84.9 (Pain), 86.6 (ADL), 85.0 (Symptoms), 72.6 (QOL), and 69.1 (Sport). The mean muscle strength of knee flexion with the injured leg (226.0 N) was significantly lower then knee flexion with the non-injured leg (259.5 N, P < 0.0001). Likewise for knee extension (335.2 vs 406.4 N, P < 0.001) and hip abduction (129.2 vs 156.0 N, P < 0.001). Significant association between HOOS and an increase in the difference in muscle strength were observed as well as between worse HOOS outcome and increasing body mass index. This study showed that decreased muscle strength for knee flexion, knee extension and hip abduction was associated with worse long-term functional outcome measured with a disease-specific questionnaire (HOOS) after intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fracture.

Long-term effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture and physiotherapy in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: a one-year follow-up analysis of a previous randomized controlled trial.

An earlier randomized controlled trial (RCT) study showed that bee venom acupuncture (BVA) in combination with physiotherapy can be more effective in functional improvement and pain reduction in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). The objective of the current study was to examine the long-term effect of BVA in combination with physiotherapy on AC of the shoulder. Retrospective 1-year follow-up analysis of a previous RCT using a telephone interview method. Outpatient joint center at the Gang Dong Kyung Hee University Hospital of Seoul, Republic of Korea. A total of 192 patients had been enrolled in the previous study, and 124 of these were excluded from the current study. Sixty-eight patients who had been treated with combined BVA and physiotherapy for AC of the shoulder for 2 months were interviewed at approximately 1 year after treatment by telephone. Sixty of 68 patients were included in the follow-up analysis. Twenty received BV 1 treatment (1:10,000 concentration BVA plus physiotherapy), 22 received BV 2 treatment (1:30,000 concentration BVA plus physiotherapy), and 18 received control treatment (normal saline injection plus physiotherapy). The primary outcome measure was Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI) score. Secondary outcome measure was score on verbal rating scale for pain and patient satisfaction. Baseline characteristics of the groups did not significantly differ. SPADI scores at 1 year significantly differed between the BV 1 group and the control group (p=0.043). No significant differences were found in pain verbal rating scores after 1 year. Treatment satisfaction with therapy was also assessed, and the BV 1 and BV 2 groups showed significantly greater satisfaction compared with the control group. BVA combined with physiotherapy remains clinically effective 1 year after treatment and may help improve long-term quality of life in patients with AC of the shoulder.

Pediatric overtriage as a consequence of the tachycardia responses of children upon ED admission

BackgroundOvertriage has been observed among pediatric patients in emergency departments (EDs) under 5-level acuity pediatric triage systems. This study aimed to investigate the causes of overtriage and to provide suggestions for future amendments to such systems. MethodsThis study has a retrospective follow-up design in which 42000 pediatric patients who were admitted to the ED of the largest medical center in Taiwan between January and December of 2010 were recruited. The study variables included patient demographics, chief concerns, individual vital signs (ie, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, and O2 saturation), triage level, ED final disposition, ED expenses, and total medical expenses. A logistic regression model was applied to explore the causes of overtriage and the effectiveness of a modified acuity system. ResultsApproximately 13.6% of the pediatric ED visits were upgraded to acuity level 1 based on vital signs that included heart rate (97.3%). The strength of the trend association (odds ratio) between decreasing acuity urgency (from levels 1 to 5) and hospitalization increased from 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.75) with the Pediatric Triage and Acuity System (Ped-TTAS) to 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.59) with the modified Ped-TTAS, which downgraded acuity levels by excluding the weighting of vital signs. Further validation was accomplished by comparing the trend association between decreasing acuity urgency and total medical expenses (Ped-TTAS: β = −0.13; modified Ped-TTAS: β = −0.18). ConclusionsHeart rate is prone to be affected by emotional responses among pediatric patients in certain specific age groups. Appropriate revisions of the pediatric triage system are suggested.

A call for re-evaluation of the guidelines for prophylactic ICD implantation.

A call for re-evaluation of the guidelines for prophylactic ICD implantation.

EPIRETINAL PROLIFERATION SEEN IN ASSOCIATION WITH LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLES

To describe the prevalence and imaging characteristics of a distinct entity of epiretinal proliferation seen predominantly in association with lamellar macular holes (LMH), termed lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP). Retrospective observational case review of 2,030 eyes of 1,104 patients with diagnoses including LMH, full-thickness macular hole, and epiretinal membrane (ERM) imaged with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from 2008 to 2013. Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation, defined on SD-OCT imaging as an epiretinal material of homogenous medium reflectivity, was identified and its features were qualitatively compared against conventional ERM using the SD-OCT data. Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation was found in 68 of 2,030 eyes (3.3%), of which 88.2% had LMH and 11.8% had full-thickness macular hole. Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation was found in 60 of 197 eyes (30.5%) with LMH and 8 of 99 eyes (8.0%) with full-thickness macular hole. Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation was not seen in 1,734 eyes with ERM, which had no inner retinal defects detectable on SD-OCT. Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation appeared as a substantial material of homogenous medium reflectivity on the epiretinal surface that demonstrated contiguity with the middle retinal layers and conformed to the adjacent retinal anatomy. Of the eyes with LHEP and LMH, 98% had splitting of the retina in the region of Henle's fiber layer in the area immediately around the partial thickness hole, whereas 88% had visible connecting tissue from the base of the lamellar hole to the proliferating epiretinal tissue. In contrast to ERM, LHEP did not induce tractional effects such as distortion or edema of the underlying normal retinal tissue. Morphologic stability was demonstrated in 97% of eyes containing LHEP in serial eye-tracked SD-OCT images for up to 63 months of retrospective follow-up. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging showed that a subset of patients with LMH had an epiretinal proliferation with medium reflectivity and no evidence of contractile properties that was contiguous with layers of the mid-retina. This phenotype differs from conventionally described ERMs in appearance and induced changes of the underlying retina. Given these distinct anatomical relationships, the presence of LHEP could affect surgical outcomes.