Thoracic Involvement Research Articles

Ultrasonographic findings may be useful for differentiating interdigital abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns and interdigital furunculosis in dogs.

Grass awn migration and furunculosis are common diseases in dogs that can lead to interdigital subcutaneous lesions with a similar clinical presentation, and occasionally similar ultrasonographic images, but different treatments are required. This retrospective, multicentric, analytical study aimed to determine whether epidemiological, clinical, and ultrasonographic features could be used to differentiate interdigital furunculosis and abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns. Fifty-nine dogs that underwent interdigital ultrasonography were included (interdigital furunculosis [IDF], n=27; interdigital abscess secondary to a migrating grass awn [IAGA], n=32). Ultrasonographic images were reviewed by two observers blinded to the diagnosis, who graded nine qualitative and four quantitative parameters for each patient. In both groups, pruritus/licking (IDF 74%, IAGA 70%), a discharging interdigital wound (63% for each group), and thoracic limb involvement (IDF 88%, IAGA 75%) were common features. On ultrasound, a subcutaneous multilinear hyperechoic main element was identified in most dogs (IDF 85%, IAGA 100%). The ability to display this element in a single plane (P<0.01), the absence of additional hyperechoic linear elements in different planes (P<0.01), and a surrounding hypoechoic halo (P<0.05) were significantly more common in dogs with interdigital abscesses secondary to migrating grass awns. A cut-off value of 0.83cm for the length of the main multilinear element provided a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 87% in the diagnosis of a migrating grass awn. Findings supported prioritizing a differential diagnosis of interdigital abscesses secondary to grass awns in dogs with these ultrasonographic characteristics.

Effect of the varicella vaccination on the clinical characteristics of herpes zoster cases aged 20 years and under

To discuss the effect of varicella vaccination on the clinical characteristics of herpes zoster (shingles) cases aged 20 years and under, and analyze its clinical features. Based on the Yichang Health Big Data Platform, a descriptive study was conducted to collect the information of cases aged 20 years and under in three medical institutions of Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang First People's Hospital and Yichang Second People's Hospital from March 2019 to September 2020. According to the history of varicella vaccine, cases were divided into vaccination group and non-vaccination group, and their clinical features and outcomes were compared. The results showed that 46 shingles cases, aged from 7 to 20 years old, were included in this study. 26 males (56.5%), 20 females (43.5%), 15 cases in vaccination group (32.6%) and 31 cases in non-vaccination group (67.4%). 28 cases had thoracic involvement, followed by lumbar (n=8), cranial (n=7) involvements and extremities (n=7). The spread of herpes skin area: 2 cases involved too large area, 21 cases of 10 cm×10 cm, 14 cases of 5 cm×5 cm, 9 cases of 1 cm×1 cm. Herpes number: 26 cases had 10-49 herpes, followed by <10 herpes (n=9), uncountable herpes (n=7) and 50-99 herpes (n=4). The clinical course[M(Q1,Q3)] lasted 20.5 (13.5,24.8) d averagely, 5 cases had postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and 1 case had respiratory complications. Shingles decrustation time was significantly shorter in vaccination group (Z=-2.01, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in other characteristics by vaccination. In conclusion, the number and spread of shingles in most children and adolescents are less, and the complications such as PHN are less. Varicella vaccination can reduce the decrustation time and relieve shingles cases with some clinical symptoms.

DISTRIBUTION AND ANALYSIS OF CHEST RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN COVID-19 POSITIVE SYMPTOMATIC AND ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS – ANALYSIS OF 668 PATIENTS IN INDIA

Current COVID-19 radiological literature is dominated by CT and a detailed description of chest x-ray (CXR) appearances in relation to the disease time course is lacking. However, it poses a great challenge on the radiology department,as it is difficult to decontaminate entire CT suite(Zhao et al.,2020)11. This study is aimed to correlate clinical symptoms with the chest X-ray findings in COVID positive patients and to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of chest x ray in diagnosing COVID 19. The present study compares frequency and distribution of chest radiographic findings in COVID 19 positive symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Patients with a RT-PCR-positive results for COVID 19 infection were 668.Of these,437 were males (65.4%),230 females (34.4%) and 1 transgender (0.04%) with a mean age of 44 years (range 2–87 years). Only 18 CXRs were negative for radiological thoracic involvement (6.4%) among symptomatic patients (280). Among the baseline CXR of 668 patients, 375 (56.1%) were normal and 293 (43.8%) were abnormal. Sensitivity and specificity of CXR were 93.91% and 93.3% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 90.97% and 95.51% respectively. We found a statistically significant relationship between CXR severity score and age, symptoms, death (P&lt;0.001).We even found significant relationship between age and symptoms, death of COVID positive patients (P&lt;0.001). The relationship between CXR severity and gender, age and gender were not significant (P=0.539,P=0.864 respectively).

Dynamics of disease progression during treatment with Osimertinib in patients with EGFR T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Patterns of treatment failure and subsequent treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with osimertinib are scarcely known. We analyzed the disease progression during osimertinib treatment to identify potential treatment strategies. We identified advanced NSCLC patients who commenced osimertinib treatment after progression on previous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) from June 2014 to November 2018 from electronic records. Patients' tumor characteristics, efficacy outcomes, affected organs from radiology studies, and treatment modalities before and after osimertinib were analyzed. Eighty-four patients were included. At osimertinib initiation, bone (50.0%) and brain (41.9%) were the commonest single metastatic sites, whereas thoracic involvement (73.3%) was more frequent than bone (27.4%) or brain (20.2%) metastasis during disease progression on osimertinib. Oligo-progressive disease (PD) and central nervous system (CNS)-sanctuary PD were observed in 15 (17.9%) and 3 (3.6%) patients, respectively. Most patients without brain metastasis (BM) at osimertinib initiation remained BM-free (46/49, 93.9%), and 60% of patients (21/35) with pre-existing BM showed intracranial disease control despite extracranial PD. The resistance mechanisms to osimertinib were explored in 23 patients (27.4%), and T790M-loss was observed in 14 patients (60.9%) who had worse survival outcomes than those without T790M-loss (progression-free survival, 5.4 vs. 16.5 months, p = 0.02; overall survival, not reached, p = 0.03). PD during osimertinib treatment occurred preferentially in the thorax and pre-existing sites. Extracranial PD prevailed over intracranial PD regardless of baseline BM and prior brain radiation. These results support osimertinib's intracranial efficacy and may guide treatment strategies for EGFR-mutated NSCLC with BM.

A Case Report: Simultaneous Presentation of Morphea and Multiple Sclerosis, a Diagnostic and Management Challenge. (P8-3.018)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To describe a unique case of a patient with multiple sclerosis and concurrent morphea complicating the diagnostic and therapeutic picture. <h3>Background:</h3> Localized scleroderma, also called morphea, is an inflammatory skin condition causing excess collagen deposition and thickened skin. Parry-Romberg Syndrome is one subtype characterized by linear facial involvement. Rarely, neurologic symptoms manifest as seizures, neuropathy, CNS vasculitis, and white matter abnormalities on MRI. Prior case reports of CNS involvement are associated with T2 hyperintense lesions, predominantly subcortical and juxtacortical, ipsilateral to the cutaneous lesions and often localized to one brain area. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a primary CNS demyelinating condition, most frequently with a relapsing remitting presentation. It is characterized by white matter abnormalities on MRI, usually with periventricular, juxtacortical, cortical or brainstem and spinal cord lesions. We present a 41-year-old African American female previously diagnosed with MS and started on ofatumumab. She presented in hopes of switching therapies due to injection fatigue. On exam, she exhibited left facial discoloration and hemifacial atrophy, progressively worsening for years. She was referred to a dermatologist and subsequently diagnosed with morphea via skin biopsy. MRI showed bihemispheric periventricular, subcortical, and juxtacortical demyelinating lesions and global atrophy. She also had cervical and thoracic spinal cord involvement. Imaging was more suggestive of MS than CNS morphea, and the concomitant diagnosis of both conditions was made. Given that none of the disease modifying therapies approved for MS are compatible with treatment of morphea, this presented a challenging scenario. The patient was continued on a B-cell therapy for MS and started on monthly methylprednisolone infusions for morphea, with clinical stability to date. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> NA <h3>Results:</h3> NA <h3>Conclusions:</h3> We present a unique diagnostic dilemma of concomitant presentation of MS and morphea versus CNS involvement of morphea. Ultimately, the distinct imaging features of both disorders on MRI guided this patient’s diagnosis and treatment. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Thakkar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharkus has nothing to disclose. Dr. McMahon has nothing to disclose. An immediate family member of Dr. Thon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Horizon. An immediate family member of Dr. Thon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. An immediate family member of Dr. Thon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Genentech. Dr. Thon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Focus group participant with Alexion. Olga Thon has nothing to disclose.

Coexistence of COVID-19, Pseudomonas, and thoracic actinomycosis in a cystic bronchiectasis case

Actinomycosis often leads to cervicofacial infections, but thoracic involvement may also occur. However, the development of empyema is rare. While being followed up with the diagnosis of asthma and bronchiectasis, our case was hospitalized for infected bronchiectasis. As empyema developed in the follow-up, the pleural effusion was drained by tube thoracostomy. Actinomycosis was diagnosed through pleural effusion cytology. Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed in sputum culture, and SARS-CoV2 RT-PCR was also positive in nasopharyngeal sampling. Polymicrobial agents can often be detected in actinomycosis. Actinomycosis cases have also been reported in the post-COVID period. Our case is presented since it would be the first in the literature regarding the coexistence of COVID-19, Pseudomonas, and thoracic Actinomycosis (empyema).

Emergent and unusual presentations of endometriosis: pearls and pitfalls.

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to highlight atypical and unusual presentations of endometriosis that can be missed or misinterpreted in the emergency setting. Although endometriosis is a chronic disease, it can present acutely with symptoms and imaging mimicking more common acute gynecologic, gastrointestinal, or urinary conditions as well as neoplasms. Furthermore, patients may present emergently prior to an established diagnosis of endometriosis. Here, we present a range of cases including endometrioma rupture and infection, urinary tract involvement and obstruction, bowel obstruction, appendicitis, gastrointestinal infiltration, abdominal masses, and thoracic involvement. Pelvic ultrasound and MRI are the most valuable imaging modalities in the assessment of endometriosis. CT findings are non-specific, but given the widespread use of CT in emergency settings, it is important to recognize CT findings suggestive of the diagnosis in the right clinical setting.

Predictors for pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu arteritis and its cluster analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and the site of pulmonary involvement in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients with pulmonary artery involvement (PAI).MethodsWe retrospectively investigated data of 141 TAK patients. The clinical and image data of the patients with and without PAI were analyzed and compared. The patients were followed up. The major outcome was all-cause mortality. The minor outcome was exacerbation or new occurrence of PAI, which leads to disease progression events.ResultsFor the 141 TAK patients considered, PAI was detected in 65 (46.1%) patients. TAK patients with PAI had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of events than those without PAI (P < 0.001). The frequencies of the following were significantly higher in TAK with PAI than those in TAK without PAI: disease duration [median 96 months (IQR: 24–174) vs. median 42 months (IQR: 6–120); P = 0.012], hemoptysis (10.8% vs. 1.32%; P = 0.040), oppression in the chest (40.0% vs. 21.1%; P = 0.014), fever (23.1% vs. 9.21%; P = 0.024), Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (21.5% vs. 6.57%; P = 0.010), pulmonary hypertension (PAH) (21.5% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.001), pulmonary infarction (41.5% vs. 0%; P < 0.001), and hypoxemia (18.5% vs. 1.3%; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of data of TAK patients with symptom presentation showed that oppression in the chest (OR: 2.304; 95% CI: 1.024–5.183; P = 0.044) and thoracic aorta involvement (OR: 2.819; 95% CI: 1.165–6.833; P = 0.022) were associated with PAI. The cluster analysis performed for data of TAK patients with PAI revealed that the cluster characterized as the upper lobe of the right lung (Cluster1) had the worst prognosis.ConclusionIn TAK, PAI is associated with thoracic aorta involvement. In TAK patients with PAI, the involvement of the upper lobe of the right lung is characterized with the worst prognosis.

Pyogenic spinal infections warrant a total spine MRI.

Study design: retrospective case series. Objective: the presenting clinical symptoms of spinal infections are often nonspecific and a delay in diagnosis can lead to adverse patient outcomes. The morbidity and mortality of patients with multifocal spinal infections is significantly higher compared to unifocal infections. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the risk factors for multifocal spinal infections. Methods: we conducted a retrospective review of all pyogenic non-tuberculous spinal infections treated surgically at a single tertiary care medical center from 2006-2020. The medical records, imaging studies, and laboratory data of 43patients during this time period were reviewed and analysed after receiving Institutional Review Board approval. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with a multifocal spinal infection. Results: 15 patients (35 %) had multifocal infections. In univariate analysis, there was a significant association with chronic kidney disease ( ), gender ( ), a white blood cell count ( ), and cervical ( ) or thoracic ( .001) involvement. In multivariate analysis, both cervical and thoracic involvement remained statistically significant ( and , respectively). Conclusions: patients with infections in the thoracic or cervical region are more likely to have a multifocal infection. Multifocal pyogenic spinal infections remain a common entity and a total spine MRI should be performed to aid in prompt diagnosis.

Pathologic complete response after laparoscopic surgery following treatment with nivolumab and ipilimumab for anticancer drug-resistant MSI-high descending colon cancer: a case report and literature review

BackgroundPreoperative treatment is performed for locally advanced colon cancer with extensive tumor proximity or suspected invasion of skeletal muscles, major organs, and blood vessels. Oxaliplatin-based regimens are often used in preoperative chemotherapy. However, microsatellite instability (MSI)-high colorectal cancer is often resistant to cytotoxic anticancer agents. Herein, we describe a case of treatment of anticancer drug-resistant MSI-high locally advanced colon cancer and review cases of complete response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for colorectal cancer.Case presentationA 57-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a large tumor in the descending colon and extensive thoracic and abdominal wall involvement, including the ribs and diaphragm. No distant metastasis was observed. The tumor had perforated the abdominal wall and formed an abscess. Upon visiting our hospital, emergency surgery was performed. An abdominal wall incision was made to drain the abscess and laparoscopic colostomy was performed. Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens revealed an adenocarcinoma with positive immunohistochemical expressions of both CDX2 and CK20. The patient was diagnosed with a descending colon cancer. Genetic examination found MSI-high, Kras mutation (F12G), and wild-type BRAF. After the inflammation improved, chemotherapy with the FOLFIRI regimen was initiated, but the tumor grew rapidly. As a second-line treatment, nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy was initiated. After four cycles of these therapies, the patient was administered nivolumab alone for five cycles. Tumor shrinkage was observed and radical surgery was performed. The patient underwent laparoscopic descending colon and partial thoracic and abdominal wall resection. The abdominal wall muscle was dissected from the abdominal cavity, and subcutaneous tissues, diaphragm, ribs were dissected from the body surface. Pathological examination revealed mucus components, fibrous tissues, and no malignant cells, indicating a complete pathological response (pCR). The patient had a good postoperative course and returned to work after being discharged. No recurrence was observed six months postoperatively.ConclusionsHerein, we report a case of anticancer drug-resistant MSI-high colon cancer that was resected after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and a pCR was achieved. This new treatment strategy can be used for the treatment of cases that are not responsive to conventional therapies.

Thoracic manifestations of IgG4-related disease.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently described rare systemic fibroinflammatory disease with an estimated incidence of less than 1 in 100,000 persons per year. The disease can affect virtually any organ and is characterized by unifying histopathological findings. Recently, four subgroups of patients have been characterized: hepatobiliary, head and neck, Mikulicz syndrome and retroperitoneal fibrosis, who illustrate the mainly abdominal and ENT tropism of the disease. Yet, thoracic involvement is not uncommon. It can be detected in up to 30% of patients with systemic IgG4-RD and is the exclusive manifestation of the disease in about 10% of cases. Clinical symptoms are nonspecific and may include dyspnoea, cough or chest pain. Chest CT findings are heterogeneous and primarily include peribronchovascular thickening, nodules, ground-glass opacities and lymphadenopathy. There is no specific diagnostic test for IgG4-RD thoracic involvement, which may mimic malignancy or vasculitis. Therefore, a cautious approach is needed to make an accurate diagnosis: a search for extra-thoracic manifestations, elevated serum IgG4 levels, circulating levels of plasmablasts and pathologic evidence of disease is warranted. Although very suggestive, neither the presence of a polyclonal IgG4 lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, storiform fibrosis or obliterative phlebitis are sufficient to confirm the histological diagnosis. Steroids are recommended as first-line therapy. Rituximab or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may be used in relapsed or rare cases of steroid-refractory disease. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnostic modalities (clinical-biological-imaging-histopathology) and treatment of IgG4-RD thoracic involvement.

Systemic treatment in sarcoidosis: Experience over two decades

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of systemic treatment in a cohort of sarcoidosis patients and identify presenting clinical features as predictive factors of the need for systemic immunosuppressive therapy. MethodsRetrospective study of 342 patients diagnosed and followed-up from January 1999 to December 2019 in a University Hospital in Northern Spain. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established according to ATS/ERS/WASOG criteria. A comparative analysis was performed between treated and untreated patients. Predictive factors of treatment prescription according to initial clinical manifestations were identified (multivariate analysis). ResultsMean age at diagnosis was 47.7±15.1 years, with a slight female predominance (51.8%) and Caucasian majority (94.2%). The main clinical manifestation was thoracic involvement (88.3%). Extrathoracic manifestations were detected in 68.4% cases, mainly cutaneous (34.2%), articular (27.8%) and ocular (17.8%). A total of 207 (60.5%) patients required systemic treatment. Glucocorticoid therapy was the most widely used (60.5%). Conventional immunosuppressive therapy in 25.4%, more frequently MTX (21.9%). Biologic therapy was prescribed in 12.9%, especially adalimumab (9.1%). Male gender (OR: 1.65; 95%CI: 1.06–2.56), intrathoracic (OR: 2.41; 95%CI: 1.22–4.76), ocular (OR: 4.14; 95%CI: 2.01–8.52), parotid (OR: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.39–1.94), neurological (OR: 5.00; 95%CI: 1.68–14.84), and renal (OR: 1.59; 95%CI: 1.38–1.94) involvement were identified as risk factors associated with the need of systemic treatment. ConclusionMost patients (60.5%) of sarcoidosis in our series required systemic therapy. An association between certain characteristics at initial presentation (male gender, lung, ocular, parotid, neurological and renal involvement) and the need of systemic treatment was identified.

Behçet's Disease: A Radiological Review of Vascular and Parenchymal Pulmonary Involvement.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by underlying chronic vasculitis of both large- and small-caliber vessels. Thoracic involvement in BD can occur with various types of manifestations, which can be detected with contrast-enhanced MSCT scanning. In addition, MR can be useful in diagnosis. Characteristic features are aneurysms of the pulmonary arteries that can cause severe hemoptysis and SVC thrombosis that manifests as SVC syndrome. Other manifestations are aortic and bronchial artery aneurysms, alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary infarction, and rarely pleural effusion. Achieving the right diagnosis of these manifestations is important for setting the correct therapy and improving the patient's outcome.

Osteoblastoma of the first thoracic spine treated with corpectomy and fusion: A rare case report

Introduction and importance: Thoracic spine involvement of the osteoblastoma is a rare occurrence. A multidisciplinary approach will provide a good outcome.&#x0D; Case presentation: We present a 16-year-old patient with a first thoracic spine managed surgically.&#x0D; Clinical discussion: A 16-year-old schoolboy presented with a history of dull aching type neck pain which progressively worsens over the last four months without any neurological weakness. Radiographic studies of the spine show an expansile well-corticated lesion with central radiolucent nidus with bony sclerosis in the first thoracic spine which is suggestive of osteoblastoma. A corpectomy with a tricortical iliac graft fusion and anterior instrument stabilization was achieved by a multidisciplinary team. The patient is pain-free and a full range of neck movement is achieved.&#x0D; Conclusion: Osteoblastoma of the spine can be treated surgically with a low risk of recurrence successfully. Torrential bleeding during the surgery is a devasting complication. Preoperative radiological embolization and Intraoperative navigations are the available options to overcome it. A combined multidisciplinary team approach will provide a good outcome.

Association of HIV infection with clinical features and outcomes of patients with aortic aneurysms.

Data on the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with aortic aneurysms (AA) and HIV remain scarce. This is a cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with a diagnosis of AA from 2013 to 2019 using the US National Inpatient Readmission Database. Patients with a diagnosis of HIV were identified. Our outcomes included trends in hospitalizations and comparison of clinical characteristics, complications, and mortality in patients with AA and HIV compared to those without HIV. Among 1,905,837 hospitalized patients with AA, 4416 (0.23%) were living with HIV. There was an overall age-adjusted increase in the rate of HIV among patients hospitalized with AA over the years (14-29 per 10,000 person-years; age-adjusted p-trend < 0.001). Patients with AA and HIV were younger than those without HIV (median age: 60 vs 76 years, p < 0.001) and were less likely to have a history of smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Thoracic aortic aneurysms were more prevalent in those with HIV (37.5% vs 26.7%, p < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, HIV was not associated with increased risk of aortic rupture (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.61-1.01, p = 0.06), acute aortic dissection (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.51-1.06, p = 0.3), readmissions (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95-1.13, p = 0.4), or aortic repair (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79-1.00, p = 0.05). Hospitalized patients with AA and HIV had a lower crude mortality rate compared to those without HIV (OR: 0.75 (0.63-0.91), p = 0.003). Hospitalized patients with AA and HIV likely constitute a distinct group of patients with AA; they are younger, have fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and a higher rate of thoracic aorta involvement. Differences in clinical features may account for the lower mortality rate observed in patients with AA and HIV compared to those without HIV.

P46 A rare case of costovertebral arthritis in SLE

P46 A rare case of costovertebral arthritis in SLE

Brachial neuritis with isolated long thoracic nerve involvement

İdiyopatik brakiyal nörit, brakiyal pleksusun asimetrik tutulumu ile karakterize, ani başlangıçlı, şiddetli ağrı, kas güçsüzlüğü, fonksiyon ve duyu kaybına neden olan bir hastalıktır. Birçok kas-iskelet sistemi problemiyle karışabilmektedir. Yeni başlayan omuz ağrısında ayırıcı tanıda idiyopatik brakiyal nörit akılda bulundurulmalıdır. Bu durumun erken tanınması gereksiz cerrahi müdahaleyi önleyebilir. Bu olgu sunumunda, tipik klinik ve elektronöromiyografi bulguları ve ayırıcı tanı testleriyle tanımlanan, izole torasikus longus sinir tutulumu ile seyreden nadir bir brakiyal nörit vakasını sunmayı amaçladık.

Risk factors for surgical intervention in patients with primary spinal infection on initial presentation.

Treatment of primary spinal infection includes medical management with or without surgical intervention. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for the eventual need for surgery in patients with primary spinal infection on initial presentation. From January 2010 to July 2019, 275 patients presented with primary spinal infection. Demographic, infectious, imaging, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were retrospectively reviewed and collected. Thirty-three patients were excluded due to insufficient follow-up (≤ 90 days) or death prior to surgery. The mean age of the 242 patients was 58.8 ± 13.6 years. The majority of the patients were male (n = 130, 53.7%), White (n = 150, 62.0%), and never smokers (n = 132, 54.5%). Fifty-four patients (22.3%) were intravenous drug users. One hundred fifty-four patients (63.6%) ultimately required surgery while 88 (36.4%) never needed surgery during the duration of follow-up. There was no significant difference in age, gender, race, BMI, or comorbidities between the surgery and no-surgery groups. On univariate analysis, the presence of an epidural abscess (55.7% in the no-surgery group vs 82.5% in the surgery group, p < 0.0001), the median spinal levels involved (2 [interquartile range (IQR) 2-3] in the no-surgery group vs 3 [IQR 2-5] in the surgery group, p < 0.0001), and active bacteremia (20.5% in the no-surgery vs 35.1% in the surgery group, p = 0.02) were significantly different. The cultured organism and initial laboratory values (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, creatinine, and albumin) were not significantly different between the groups. On multivariable analysis, the final model included epidural abscess, cervical or thoracic spine involvement, and number of involved levels. After adjusting for other variables, epidural abscess (odds ratio [OR] 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-5.63), cervical or thoracic spine involvement (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.15-3.61), and increasing number of involved levels (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.35) were associated with greater odds of surgery. Fifty-two surgical patients (33.8%) underwent decompression alone while 102 (66.2%) underwent decompression with fusion. Of those who underwent decompression alone, 2 (3.8%) of 52 required subsequent fusion due to kyphosis. No patient required hardware removal due to persistent infection. At time of initial presentation of primary spinal infection, the presence of epidural abscess, cervical or thoracic spine involvement, as well as an increasing number of involved spinal levels were potential risk factors for the eventual need for surgery in this study. Additional studies are needed to assess for risk factors for surgery and antibiotic treatment failure.

Adjunct diagnostic value of radiological findings in mucopolysaccharidosis type IVa-related thoracic spinal abnormalities: a pilot study

BackgroundIn patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), systematic assessment and management of cervical instability, cervicomedullary and thoracolumbar junction spinal stenosis and spinal cord compression averts or arrests irreversible neurological damage, improving outcomes. However, few studies have assessed thoracic spinal involvement in MPS IVa patients. We aimed to evaluate thoracic spinal abnormalities in MPS IVa patients and identify associated image manifestations by CT and MRI study.ResultsData of patients diagnosed and/or treated for MPS IVa at MacKay Memorial Hospital from January 2010 to December 2020 were extracted from medical records and evaluated retrospectively. Computed tomography (CT), plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of MPS IVa-related spinal abnormalities were reviewed. Spine CT and plain radiography findings of 12 patients (6 males and 6 females with median age 7.5 years, range 1–28 years) revealed two subtypes of spinal abnormalities: thoracic kyphosis apex around T2 (subtype 1, n = 8) and thoracic kyphosis apex around T5 (subtype 2, n = 4). Spine CT and plain radiography clearly identified various degrees of thoracic kyphosis with apex around T2 or T5 in MPS IVa patients. Square-shaped to mild central beaking in middle thoracic vertebral bodies was observed in subtype 1 patients, while greater degrees of central beaking in middle thoracic vertebral bodies was observed in subtype 2 patients.ConclusionsSpine CT findings clearly identify new radiological findings of thoracic kyphosis apex around T2 or T5 in MPS IVa patients. The degrees of central beaking at middle thoracic vertebral bodies may be a critical factor associated with different image presentations of thoracic kyphosis.

P6-10 Favorable response to anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade in a case of thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (UT) is one of the high-grade malignancies, affecting smokers. There have been no effective therapies so far. Inactivating mutations of SMARCA4 (BRG1) can yield a truncated protein and may be involved in their malignant transformation. Their comprehensive genomic profiling also shows high tumor mutation burden (TMB) indicative of smoking. A 41-year-old man developed a bulky tumor in the left posterior mediastinum in 2017. At a previous hospital, PET/CT scan displayed 18F-FDG-avid mass (10cm size) with significant thoracic involvement (T4, pulmonary hilum, great vessels, large airways), N3 (bil.