Single Tertiary Care Center Experience Research Articles

COVID-19-Associated Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience of Imaging Findings With a Special Focus on Intracranial Manifestations and Pathways of Intracranial Spread

COVID-19-Associated Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience of Imaging Findings With a Special Focus on Intracranial Manifestations and Pathways of Intracranial Spread

Pregnancy Related Acute Kidney Injury: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Pregnancy Related Acute Kidney Injury: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Predictors of long-term outcomes of patients with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valves diseases: a single tertiary care center experience 2010-2018

Abstract Background To date, moderate concomitant valvular heart diseases have been scarcely studied. This study aimed to further define predictors of long-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valve disease at a tertiary center. Methods In this cohort we included 3257 patients (aged 71.7 ± 12.9 years; 55.2% male; 83.1% white) diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valves diseases who presented to the Cleveland Clinic between 2010 and 2018. The patients’ demographic, clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected. The primary endpoint of the study was the long-term composite outcome defined as heart failure hospitalization or all-cause mortality. We then conducted a univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard survival analysis for the primary endpoint. Results The patients were followed up for 21.8 months. Baseline demographic characteristics are presented in table 1. Multiple demographic, clinical, and echo variables were evaluated. Using a univariate Cox proportional hazard survival analysis, older Age, history of smoking, Diabetes, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), Dyslipidemia, higher Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure (RVSP), higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and lower Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) were associated with worse long-term outcomes. Additionally, patients who underwent an aortic (39.1%) or a mitral valve intervention (29.4%) were associated with better long-term outcomes (HR, 0.710, 0.708; respectively). In comparison, on Multivariable Cox analysis, female sex was significantly associated with worse survival (HR of 1.151, p-value=0.019). However, older Age, history of smoking, Diabetes, CKD, higher RVSP, NYHA class 2, 3, and 4, and lower LVEF remained significantly associated with worse long-term (table 2). Aortic valve intervention remained significantly associated with better survival (HR, 0.861, P-value=0.021). Compared to the Aortic Stenosis/ Mitral Stenosis (AS/MS) group, univariate analysis showed that patients in the Aortic Regurgitation/Mitral Regurgitation (AR/MR), and the AR/MS groups were significantly associated with better long term outcomes (HR, 0.738, HR, 0.575; respectively). Conversely, on Multivariate Cox analysis, AR/MR and AS/MR groups were significantly associated with better survival compared to AS/MS group (HR, 0.580, HR, 0.716; respectively). Conclusion In patients diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valve diseases, female sex, older age, history of smoking, diabetes, CKD, RVSP, NYHA class, LVEF and aortic valve intervention are independent predictors of the composite endpoint of heart failure hospitalization or all-cause mortality.Table 1Table 2

Clinicopathologic characterization of cutaneous adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: A single tertiary care center experience in the United States.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare aggressive T-cell leukemia/lymphoma associated with human T lymphotropic virus type 1 infection. The patients might present with skin rash before, at, or after the diagnosis. The dermatopathologic finding might be diagnostically very challenging. We retrospectively identified 110 patients with ATLL at a single institution in a 19-year period, with 19 patients having skin biopsies. Clinical, dermatopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings were studied. The cohort included 13 skin-first (5 acute, 5 lymphomatous, 2 chronic, 1 smoldering), 6 skin-second (4 acute, 1 lymphomatous, 1 smoldering), and 91 patients without skin biopsy. Some nonphotoprotected areas of body such as the forearm and lower lip were also seen. Skin manifestations included papular (5), erythroderma (1), nodulotumoral (3), plaques (1), patches (1), and a combination of skin rashes (2). Histopathologic findings included large pleomorphic cells, angiocentrism, epidermal infiltration with large Pautrier-like microabscesses, and folliculotropism. Fifteen (78.9%) cases showed CD4+/CD7-/CD25+. Next-generation sequencing study was conducted on 5 patients using either blood or bone marrow samples, revealing multiple genetic mutations across multiple signaling pathways. Pleomorphic large, atypical cells with CD4+/CD25+/CD7- immunophenotype from a non-"bathing trunk" location, especially in a patient from endemic regions, raise suspicion for ATLL. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement is almost always positive, and the neoplasm usually demonstrates multiple mutations by next-generation sequencing study.

Patch test results of 1200 patients with contact dermatitis: a single tertiary care center experience in Turkey

article: Patch test results of 1200 patients with contact dermatitis: a single tertiary care center experience in Turkey - Esperienze Dermatologiche 2022 December;24(4):61-5 - Minerva Medica - Journals

Abstract No. 575 Safety and Success of Transjugular Liver Biopsies in Children: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Abstract No. 575 Safety and Success of Transjugular Liver Biopsies in Children: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Impact of a structured rehabilitation program on the functional outcomes of patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A single tertiary-care center experience

Impact of a structured rehabilitation program on the functional outcomes of patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A single tertiary-care center experience

Intravascular lithotripsy in calcified coronary lesions-A single tertiary care center experience from India

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Aims Severe coronary calcification is a serious impediment to optimal stent expansion and can lead to stent failure and adverse outcomes. We hereby present Indian experience with intravascular lithotripsy(IVL) for the treatment of calcific lesions in acute and chronic coronary syndromes at our tertiary care center. Methods and results This is a single-center prospective study of all patients treated with intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) between June 2021 and June 2022. Patient demographics, procedural variables, and treatment outcomes and early MACE(30 days) were evaluated. During this period, there were 25 patients and 30 coronary lesions were treated with IVL-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The mean age of study population is 72.8±9.0 years. 96% of the study population were male. 88% of the study population were hypertensives and 68% were diabetics. Indications for PCI were acute coronary syndromes in 10 patients (40%), and chronic coronary syndrome in 13 patients (52 %). Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was used in 28% of the patients and Intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) was used in 12% of the patients. Rotablation was used in 12% of the patients. Upfront IVL usage was done in 32% of cases and rest of the cases (68%) IVL was done for suboptimal initial balloon pre dilatation or stent under expansion. Angiographic success (<20% residual stenosis) and final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow occurred in 24 patients(96%).One patient (4%)had in hospital death post procedure. Conclusions IVL appears to be a safe and effective modality in modifying coronary calcium to achieve optimal stent expansion with low early MACE(Major adverse cardiovascular events).

Disease patterns among Saudi children undergoing colonoscopy for lower gastrointestinal bleeding: Single tertiary care center experience.

: The yield of colonoscopy in cases presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in previously published studies varies according to several factors, including endoscopic skills, histopathological experience, and pattern of colonic pathology in different countries. The local literature is limited to a single small 20-year-old study. Our objective was to provide updated data on the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in Saudi children with LGIB in Saudi Arabia. : This was a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients (0-14 years of age) who underwent colonoscopy for LGIB at the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), from 2008 to 2018. LGIB was defined as fresh or dark blood per rectum. : During the study period, 175 children underwent colonoscopy for LGIB (99 males, mean age 7.05 ± 3.81 years), which constituted 53.5% of indications for colonoscopy procedures (n = 327) in our center. The terminal ileum was intubated in 81% of the procedures. Overall, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was the most commonly identified cause of LGIB (32% ) followed by colonic lymphonodular hyperplasia (CLNH) in 17% and juvenile polyp and rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome (RMPS), 11% each. On sub-analysis, cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and CLNH were the most common causes in infants and toddlers, 35% each; IBD (26.5%) and polyps (22.4%) in young children (2-6 years), and IBD (36%), CLNH (14.9%) and RMPS (14%) in older children (6-14 years). In comparing the IBD to the non-IBD group, IBD patients were older (mean 8.37 vs. 6.46 years, P = 0.002) and more likely to have diarrhea, weight loss, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio 24, 11, 10.7, 6.5, and 4, respectively). Colonoscopy had a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 81.4%, and accuracy of 97% in diagnosing LGIB. : Colonoscopy is an effective diagnostic tool in children with LGIB with a high diagnostic yield. Besides IBD, CLNH and RMPS are two other important pathologic entities that need to be considered in a child with LGIB.

Clinicomorphological and molecular analysis of medulloblastoma and association with survival: A single tertiary care center experience.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous disease, displaying distinct genetic profiles, with specific molecular subgroups. Various clinical, pathological and molecular variables have been associated with disease outcome and therefore utilised in risk stratification of patients. To perform molecular classification of medulloblastoma using surrogate immunohistochemistry (IHC) and associate molecular subgroups, histopathological types, and available clinicopathological parameters with overall survival (OS) of MB patients. This study included 65 medulloblastoma patients. Immunohistochemical staining, using β-catenin YAP1 and GRB2-Associated Binding Protein 1 (GAB1) antibodies was used to classify MB cases into wingless signalling (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, and non-WNT/non-SHH molecular subgroups. The relevant statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism version 9.3.0. Histological patterns included classic (40 cases, 62%), desmoplastic nodular (D/N) (14 cases, 22%), large cell/anaplastic (LC/A) (9 cases, 13%), medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN) (1 case, 1.5%) and one special subtype, i.e., medulloblastoma with myogenic and melanotic differentiation. Molecular subgroups included WNT (4 cases, 6%), SHH (34 cases, 52%), and non-WNT/non-SHH (27 cases, 42%) subgroups. Histopathological types differed significantly according to tumor location, degree of anaplasia and molecular subgroups. Molecular subgroups differed significantly in age distribution and tumor location. The probability of survival was 78% and 68% after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Infants (<3 years of age), LC/A pattern, and TP53-mutant status among SHH subgroup conferred poor prognosis in our study. At the end of the study (at 65 months of maximum follow-up period) probability of survival was 51%. Immunohistochemical analysis helps in molecular classification of medulloblastoma in majority of the cases as well as helps in predicting prognosis and treatment response.

Factors Influencing Delayed Graft Function in Deceased Renal Transplant: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Factors Influencing Delayed Graft Function in Deceased Renal Transplant: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

Pregnancy outcomes subsequent to stillbirth: a single tertiary-care center experience

Pregnancy outcomes subsequent to stillbirth: a single tertiary-care center experience

Imaging Characteristics of Retinoblastoma: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience from Pakistan

Background: Retinoblastoma is a rare tumor of eye in the pediatric population. It is seen in every 15000-18000 births with no gender or racial predilection. Retinoblastoma can have a variable presentation ranging from leukocoria to a mass in the eye. Aim: To provide physicians a snapshot of different modes of presentation. This study employs the data from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analyzing it for frequency of different presentations from a radiological point of view. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) which is the largest tertiary care pediatric center in Karachi, Pakistan. Records of children from 1 month to 16 years who were diagnosed with retinoblastoma between March 2021 to March 2022 were accessed from the database and assessed. The collected data was then analyzed on SPSS 26. Results: The most frequent presentation noted was leukocoria followed by vision loss, swelling, pain and redness. Calcification was the most frequently reported feature in CT scan whereas retroglobular involvement was mostly seen in MRI scans. Chi square showed a statistically significant correlation between age at presentation with presenting symptoms (p=0.04) and sellar involvement (p=0.00). Additionally, statically significant association was seen between family history and laterality in our study. Conclusion: MRI is the recommended modality due to its sensitivity and superior soft-tissue resolution. CT scan is superior to MRI in detecting calcifications. In developing countries due to a lack of proper facilities and awareness, there is a disparity in the prognosis and presentation of retinoblastoma. Bilateral tumors are most commonly heritable and patients presenting with tumors in both eyes are recommended a through genetic workup. Keywords: Retinoblastoma, ocular tumor, leukocoria, red eye, Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography

Pregnancy Outcomes Subsequent to Stillbirth—A Single Tertiary-Care Center Experience

Background: Currently, there is little evidence to guide clinical management of pregnancies after stillbirth. Our study aims to evaluate the pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with a previous stillbirth, by applying a standardized protocol for etiologic investigations and subsequent treatment of the underlying etiology. Methods: A retrospective cohort study on a group of 100 women with history of stillbirth, occurred in single pregnancy between 2005 and 2021, was performed. All patients were followed up in their subsequent pregnancies (n = 153) in a tertiary university hospital. During the preconception period causes of stillbirth were investigated and a correction of modifiable risk factors was encouraged with a multidisciplinary approach. Data about pregnancy management, obstetric complications, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes were collected. Results: The analysis of previous stillbirth revealed that, by using the ReCoDe classification, the most common identifiable causes of death were fetal growth restriction (21%), placental abruption (11%) and “other placenta insufficiencies” (26.7%), whereas 15.8% of stillbirth was unexplained. Out of 153 subsequent pregnancies, 131 (85.62%) resulted in live births, 15 (9.8%) in a first trimester miscarriage, and 7 (4.57%) in second trimester miscarriage; no cases of stillbirth recurrence occurred. Obstetric complications in subsequent pregnancies included gestational diabetes (21.4%), gestational hypertensive disorders (6.1%), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (3.8%), fetal growth restriction (7.6%) and preterm birth (19.8%). The mean gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks with a mean birth weight of 2886.63 g. Conclusions: Our experience is encouraging as reflecting good outcomes in terms of live birth rate in the subsequent pregnancies, with no cases of recurrence. These results are probably due to extensive preconception investigations with a multidisciplinary approach. A preconception evaluation is, thus, essential to improve maternal and fetal outcome in case of history of stillbirth, aiming to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Comorbidities in Clinical and Polysomnographic Features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

BackgroundResearch on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is inadequate in Saudi Arabia, particularly among patients with comorbidities. This study investigates comorbidities in patients with different severity of apnea based on the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI).MethodsThe retrospective charts review that included a cohort of 4391 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) between 2003 and 2019. The AHI is classified into four ordinal groups: normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Ordinal logistic regression was used to model proportional odds of a higher AHI category.ResultsGender was distributed equally in the study sample. The average age was 49.6 ± 14.8 years and the average AHI was 16.1 ± 22 per hour. Hypertension (43.2%) and diabetes mellitus (37.3%) were the most common comorbidities: Mild OSA 28.9%, Moderate OSA 15.6%, and severe 16.4%. The severity of apnea increased with age and BMI classes. The prevalence of hypertension increased with the severity of apnea: 42.9% in mild, 47.4% in moderate, and 54.6% in severe AHI. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and diabetes mellitus (DM) increased with the severity of apnea. Comorbidities was more among OSA patients with excessive sleepiness. After adjustment for age and gender, greater proportional odds of severe AHI were observed in males (aOR = 1.8), 30–59 years (aOR = 2.064), 60 years or above (aOR = 2.873), obese class II (aOR = 2.016), obese class III (aOR = 2.527), and in patients with hypertension (aOR = 1.272).ConclusionHypertension and obesity were highly prevalent in the study cohort and were associated with greater proportional odds of severe AHI.

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement in patients post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a single tertiary care center experience

Background and study aims Obesity prevalence continues to rise in the United States with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery being one of the most common bariatric procedures. With this trend, more patients with altered upper gastrointestinal (UGI) anatomy have required endoscopic intervention including direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) placement. We aimed to assess the safety and success rates of DPEJ in RYGB patients. Patients and methods All patients at a tertiary care referral center who underwent DPEJ during an 8-year period were queried from a prospectively maintained registry of all enteroscopy procedures. Duplicate cases and altered upper UGI anatomy subtypes other than RYGB were excluded. The final cohort consisted of two groups: RYGB vs native anatomy (NA). Demographic, procedural, readmission, follow-up, and complication data were recorded. Comparative analysis was performed. Results Seventy-two patients were included where 28 had RYGB and 44 had NA. Both groups had similar baseline and pre-procedure data. Procedure success rate was 89 % in RYGB patients and 98 % in NA patients ( P  = 0.13). There were no intraprocedural complications. Early and late postprocedural complication rates were similar between the groups (both 4 % vs 7 %). Average follow-up times in the RYGB and NA groups were 12.97 ± 9.35 and 13.44 ± 9.21 months, respectively. Although readmission rates at 1 and 6 months were higher in the NA versus the RYGB group (21 % vs 7 % and 25 % vs 15 %), these differences were not significant. Conclusions DPEJ can be successful and safely placed in RYGB patients with no significant difference in procedure success, complication, or readmission rates when compared to control.

Laparo-endoscopic management of chole-choledocholithiasis: Rendezvous or intraoperative ERCP? A single tertiary care center experience

IntroductionThe management of chole-choledocholithiasis remains a matter of debate to preserve minimal invasive management and different options have been proposed, with single- or two-stage approaches. Two techniques of single-stage approach are intraoperative ERCP and laparoscopic rendezvous, which have the great advantage of reducing the length of hospital stay with increased patient compliance. This retrospective study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of intraoperative ERCP and rendezvous technique for more than 15 years.Materials and methodsClinical records of 113 patients who underwent single-stage management for chole-choledocholithiasis between January 2003 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed using a prospectively maintained database. Patients were separated into two groups: those managed with intraoperative ERCP and those with rendezvous, and their intraoperative and postoperative parameters were compared. All patients were followed up for 6 months in an outpatient setting.ResultsA total of 68 (60%) patients were treated with intraoperative ERCP, while the remaining 45 (40%) were treated with rendezvous. There were no significant differences in terms of comorbidities. ERCP was performed with a median operative time of 145 min (104–168) and an endoscopic time of 27 min (15–36). Meanwhile, rendezvous was performed with a significantly lower operative [120 min (94–147)] and endoscopic time [15 min (12–22)]. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Patients treated with rendezvous had a significantly shorter median hospitality stay [4 (3–5) vs. 3 (2–4) days, p < 0.05]. No hospital readmissions or mortalities were observed in either group after 30 days. Ten mild pancreatitis cases were observed, mainly in the intraoperative ERCP group (9 vs. 1, p < 0.05), and all were treated conservatively. Only two patients treated with intraoperative ERCP developed biliary complications later on.ConclusionLaparoscopic rendezvous should be considered a preferable alternative to intraoperative ERCP for the treatment of patients with concomitant CBD stones and gallstones.

Catheter-directed computed tomography angiography: A pictorial essay.

Catheter-directed computed tomography angiography (CDCTA) is an imaging technique where CT images are acquired after selective catheterization of a vessel. Images obtained in this fashion provide several advantages over conventional imaging techniques such as fluoroscopic angiography, digital subtraction angiography, cone-beam CT, and conventional CT angiography. At this point, there is still limited literature on the subject, with prior studies examining a small number of potential uses. The goal of this pictorial essay is to illustrate our single tertiary care center experience using CDCTA.

Subsequent Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Prior Complete Uterine Rupture: A Single Tertiary Care Centre Experience.

Limited data is available to assess the burden of maternal morbidity, mortality, and perinatal outcome after subsequent pregnancy in women with prior uterine rupture. Therefore, this retrospective descriptive study was conducted to determine subsequent pregnancy outcomes in a larger series of women with prior complete uterine rupture. All pregnant women who had complete uterine rupture were managed according to the standard Institute protocol. The women who conceived following a uterine repair from July 2011 to June 2020 were recruited into the study. Outcome measures included severe maternal morbidities and perinatal outcomes. Fifty-three women with prior complete uterine rupture were conceived subsequently. Two women had an abortion in the first and second trimester, respectively. None of the women developed recurrence of uterine rupture. However, three women developed uterine dehiscence in a total of 16 women who went into spontaneous labour before elective cesarean delivery at 32, 36, and 37 weeks, respectively. None of the women had placenta previa, placenta accreta, bowel injury, bladder injury and none required a hysterectomy. However, 16.7% of women needed a blood transfusion. None of the women required mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, and intensive care unit stay. Seventeen babies required neonatal intensive care admission, and prematurity (90%) was the most common reason, followed by low APGAR scores. In conclusion, subsequent pregnancy outcomes in women with prior uterine rupture appear acceptable in institutionalized care. Timing of cesarean delivery may have to be weighed against the risk of prematurity-associated neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The utility of remdesivir in SARS-CoV-2: A single tertiary care center experience from a developing country

BackgroundRemdesivir is a monophosphoramidate prodrug of an adenosine analog, and it has a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against paramyxoviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses. Remdesivir is associated with decreased hospital stay and improved outcomes in coronavirus- disease 2019 (COVID-19). MethodologyOf 846 suspected COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 612 SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positive patients were evaluated for enrollment in this prospective cohort study. 159 RT-PCR positive patients were given remdesivir. Their clinical, biochemical parameters, hospital stay, and outcomes related to morbidity and mortality were followed. ResultsOut of the 159 patients, 141 recovered after remdesivir use. The Chi-square test for independence examined the relation between the day of the first dose, dose of remdesivir, and clinical outcome. The standardized case fatality ratio (CFR) in the 453 hospitalized patients who did not receive remdesivir was 32.89% (N = 149) as compared to 11.32% (N = 18) in the patients who received remdesivir. These findings are in keeping with the therapeutic value of remdesivir in symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection of varying severity. ConclusionThe use of remdesivir is associated with a decrease in the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its use is also associated with a decreased length of hospital stay and lower mortality than the patients who did not receive remdesivir.