Use Of Preoperative Computed Tomography Research Articles

Preoperative computed tomography in the planning of median resternotomy in children

The capabilities of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of mediastinal adhesions and measuring the density of adhesions when planning midline resternotomy in children were assessed, and the effect of preoperative CT on the incidence of surgical complications was studied. According to several authors, the frequency of resternotomies in cardiac surgery is up to 20% of the total number of surgeries per year and is accompanied by significant difficulties in the isolation of the heart and vessels. In pediatric cardiac surgery, complex congenital heart disease (CHD) mostly requires a staged approach. The staging of complex CHD correction and the need for repeated surgeries in most cardiac defects make the problem of safe repeated surgical access urgent. Postoperative adhesions are one of the most acute problems in modern cardiac surgery. The formation of adhesions is an inevitable reaction of the body after primary cardiac surgery. Massive adhesions that develop after surgery most commonly lead to adhesion of the heart and major great vessels to the posterior surface of the sternum. These changes are especially pronounced in children due to the high reactivity of the body and the lack of technical possibility and expediency of pericardial suturing after surgery. Rough adhesions during resternotomy complicate the cardiac surgeons task and increase the risk of complications. The main dangers are damage to various structures in the thorax such as the right and left heart, aorta, coronary arteries, pulmonary artery, and brachiocephalic vein. The diagnosis of postoperative adhesions in the mediastinum before resternotomy is difficult. CT has the widest diagnostic capabilities for assessing mediastinal adhesions. When performing CT as a part of preoperative resternotomy planning, it is important to examine the mediastinal topography, assess the degree of adjacency of the pericardium and mediastinal structures, determine the presence and density of adhesions, and assess patency and diameter of great vessels to select cannulas and cannulation methods necessary for emergency start of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac trauma. These criteria are important when planning midline resternotomy to reduce the risks of traumatization of cardiac structures and great vessels and allow correction of surgical tactics and timely preventive surgical measures. Depending on the density, extent, and localization of adhesions, the cardiolysis technique and cannulation of great vessels required for initiation of emergency CPB may be changed. The use of preoperative CT when planning midline resternotomy in children allows to predict the risks of damage of cardiac structures and great vessels and visualize adhesive bands and measure their density, which helps the surgeon to adjust surgical tactics regarding the method and volume of cardiolysis and assess patency and diameter of great arteries and veins, thus determining the cannulation method and cannula diameter in advance if urgent CPB is needed. Therefore, standardization of CT description protocols for midline resternotomy planning with assessment of key criteria is an urgent task and requires further development.

New classification of S1 pedicle morphometry impacting pedicle screw insertion technique

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The conventional entry point for the S1 pedicle screw insertion has been described as ‘at the base of and lateral to the superior S1 superior facet’. However, many orthopaedic surgeons complain that this technique is extremely demanding and is faced with many challenges in execution. Therefore, alternative entry points and modifications of existing techniques are explored for a greater convenience.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: We conducted a survey amongst 136 spine surgeons on the technical difficulties faced during insertion of the S1 pedicle screw. We also classified the S1 pedicles based by measuring their geometric parameters on 100 random computed tomography (CT) images.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: The S1 pedicle entry technique was considered to be the most difficult and challenging by the orthopaedic surgeons in our survey due to an inadequate medial angulation due to paraspinal muscle mass tension and an overhanging iliac crest. This could be explained by the hourglass shaped pedicle (type 3) with a desired medial angle more 50 degrees (type III) observed as the most common S1 pedicle in the study population. To overcome this limitation, most of them preferred a tri-corticate approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: A more lateral entry point and a longer screw might be considered as solutions for a better and safer S1 pedicle entry. Also, the use of pre-operative CT can be considered to visualize the type of S1 pedicle and hence, decide on the most appropriate technique of screw insertion.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

COVID-19 opens the door for right iliac fossa pain treatment pathway.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risks of surgery and management of common surgical conditions has changed, with greater reliance on imaging and conservative management. The negative appendectomy rate (NAR) in the UK has previously remained high. The aim of this study was to quantify pandemic-related changes in the management of patients with suspected appendicitis, including the NAR. A retrospective study was performed at a single high volume centre of consecutive patients aged over five years presenting to general surgery with right iliac fossa pain in two study periods: for two months before lockdown and for four months after lockdown. Pregnant patients and those with previous appendectomy, including right colonic resection, were excluded. Demographic, clinical, imaging and histological data were captured, and risk scores were calculated, stratifying patients into higher and lower risk groups. Data were analysed by age, sex and risk subgroups. The mean number of daily referrals with right iliac fossa pain or suspected appendicitis reduced significantly between the study periods, from 2.92 before lockdown to 2.07 after lockdown (p<0.001). Preoperative computed tomography (CT) rates increased significantly from 22.9% to 37.2% (p=0.002). The NAR did not change significantly between study periods (25.5% prior to lockdown, 11.1% following lockdown, p=0.159). Twelve (75%) out of sixteen negative appendectomies were observed in higher risk patients aged 16-45 years who did not undergo preoperative CT. The NAR in patients undergoing CT was 0%. Greater use of preoperative CT should be considered in risk stratified patients in order to reduce the NAR.

Effects of computed tomography for preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis on hospital expenditure

Abstract Background Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are now preferred for use in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (Ap). This was a retrospective study on the use of ultrasound or CT for preoperative diagnosis and hospital expenditure in patients with Ap. Purpose We tried to conduct this study to measure the effect of CT on the hospital expenditure of our emergency patients. Methods We enrolled 1047 patients with preoperative diagnosis with or without CT or ultrasound and divided them into four groups: Group1, CT and ultrasound; Group 2, CT only; Group 3, ultrasound only; and Group 4, neither CT nor ultrasound. The final operative diagnosis of appendicitis was classified as acute appendicitis (Ap), appendicitis with perforation (Ap-perforation), and appendicitis with peritonitis (Ap-peritonitis) on the basis of the coding from the results of operative and pathological findings. Clinical profiles of patients included age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, operative procedures, and medical expenditure. Results Preoperative diagnosis with ultrasound or CT was found in 139 (13.3%), 180 (17.2%), 383 (36.5%), and 345 (33.0%) patients of Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The use of CT was more common in patients aged ≥65 years (49.1%) than in those Conclusion Patients with higher severity and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores are associated with an increased use of CT for the assessment of patient condition in addition to diagnosis. The preoperative use of CT depends mainly on the severity of the disease. Therefore, we do not hesitate to use CT, particularly for elderly patients or patients with high Charlson Comorbidity Index scores.

Usefulness of Computed Tomography in Patients with Acute Malleolar Fracture

ⓒPurpose: We compared plain radiographs with computed tomography (CT) images to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative CT in acute ankle malleolar fracture in terms of accuracy of diagnosis and planning of operative strategy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 210 cases of malleolar fracture treated at our institute for which plain radiograph and CT were obtained preoperatively. Observers had reviewed plain radiographs and recorded fracture classification, anatomical diagnosis, extent and configuration of fractures and then subsequently reviewed CT images. Records from each image were compared and information regarding the differences in fractures was assessed. Results: Fractures were notably changed in appearance in 88 cases (41.9%) and diagnosis changed in 30 cases (14.3%). According to the change of diagnosis and fracture appearances, the operative strategy was changed in 15 cases (7.1%) including incision, order of reduction, and target of fixation. Conclusion: CT could be a useful adjunctive imaging tool in addition to the plain radiograph in planning of operative treatment for acute malleolar fracture in terms of estimating exact configuration, extent of fractures and even newly revealed hidden fractures.

The utility of computed tomography in the management of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax

Background Spontaneous pneumothorax may result from rupture of subpleural blebs. Computed tomography (CT) has been used to identify blebs to serve as an indication for thoracoscopy. We reviewed our experience with spontaneous pneumothorax to assess the utility of CT in these patients. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent an operation for spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1999 to October 2009. All procedures were performed thoracoscopically. Results We identified 39 pneumothoraces in 34 patients who underwent evaluation and a procedure for spontaneous pneumothorax. Mean age was 16.1 years (range, 10-23 years), with an average of 1.7 spontaneous pneumothoraces before operation (range, 1-4). Preoperative chest CT scans were obtained in 26 cases. Blebs were demonstrated on 8 CT scans. The presence of blebs was confirmed at operation in all 8 patients. Of the 18 negative scans, 14 (77.8%) were found to have blebs intraoperatively, 7 of these patients were initially managed nonoperatively and developed recurrence. The sensitivity of CT for identifying blebs was 36%. Conclusions Chest CT does not appear to be precise in the identification of pleural blebs and a negative examination does not predict freedom from recurrence. Operative decisions should be based on clinical judgment without the use of preoperative CT.

Preoperative computed tomography is associated with lower risk of perioperative stroke in reoperative cardiac surgery

Preoperative computed tomography (CT) use appears to be increasing among patients undergoing cardiac reoperations. We hypothesized that preoperative CT imaging reduces adverse outcomes and operative mortality for these patients. From July 2002 to February 2009, 373 patients underwent cardiac reoperations. Patients were stratified according to those with preoperative CT imaging (CT, n=140) and to those without preoperative CT imaging (NCT) (NCT, n=233). Preoperative risk, operative features, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Operative mortality for all cardiac reoperations was 7.5%. Patient risk factors were similar between CT and NCT groups. Preoperative imaging was more commonly performed for reoperative isolated valve operations (CT=70% vs. NCT=55.8%, P=0.01) but less commonly performed for reoperative isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations (14.3% vs. 22.7%, P=0.05). Postoperative renal failure, prolonged ventilation and operative mortality were similar between groups. Importantly, perioperative stroke occurred only within the NCT group (5.6% vs. 0.0%, P=0.003), and emergent operative status [odds ratio (OR): 6.45, confidence interval (CI): 1.15-36.10, P=0.03] as an independent multivariate predictor of perioperative stroke. Thus, preoperative CT imaging is associated with lower rates of perioperative stroke in patients undergoing cardiac reoperations by optimizing cannulation and aortic clamping strategies. Routine use of preoperative CT should be considered for patients undergoing cardiac operations following prior sternotomy.

Making the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: Do More Preoperative CT Scans Mean Fewer Negative Appendectomies? A 10-year Study

To determine the frequency of preoperative computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients suspected of having appendicitis at one institution during the past 10 years and to determine whether changes in CT utilization were associated with changes in the negative appendectomy rate. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and a waiver of informed consent was granted for this HIPAA-compliant study. A surgical database search yielded medical record numbers of 925 patients (526 [ 56.9%] men and 399 [43.1%] women; mean age, 38 years (range, 18-95 years]) who underwent urgent appendectomy between January 1998 and September 2007. Patients who were younger than 18 years of age at the time of surgery were excluded. CT, pathology, and surgery reports were reviewed. By using logistic regression, changes in the proportion of patients undergoing CT and in the proportion of patients undergoing each year appendectomy in which the appendix was healthy were evaluated. Subgroup analyses based on patient age (<or= 45 years or > 45 years) and sex also were performed. Prior to urgent appendectomy, 18.5% of patients underwent preoperative CT in 1998 compared with 93.2% of patients in 2007. The negative appendectomy rate for women 45 years of age and younger decreased from 42.9% in 1998% to 7.1% in 2007. However, the timing of the decline in negative appendectomy rates for women 45 years and younger could not be proved to be associated with the increase in CT use. There was no significant trend toward a lower negative appendectomy rate for men regardless of age or for women older than 45 years of age with increased use of preoperative CT. The shift from single-detector CT to multidetector CT and the use of decreasing section thickness also correlated with a reduction in false-positive diagnoses. Rising utilization of preoperative CT and advances in technology coincided with a decrease in the negative appendectomy rate for women 45 years and younger but not in men of any age or women older than 45 years.

Computed Tomography in the Pre-operative Assessment of Mediastinal Tumours - Does it Improve Surgical Management?

Computed tomography (CT) provides detailed imaging of the mediastinum. To assess whether this information improves subsequent surgical management 39 consecutive cases were reviewed. 21 patients had pre-operative CT of the mediastinum (CT group); 18 did not (No-CT group). The pre-operative use of CT resulted in the correct assessment of tumour consistency in 20 patients, the correct extent of invasion in 16, and the correct diagnosis in 10. In 15 of the 39 cases the surgical management was inappropriate because exploration was performed for an inoperable tumour, where no tumour was found, or when nonsurgical treatment was indicated. The number of inappropriate procedures was significantly lower in the CT group. These results suggest that the routine use of CT in the assessment of mediastinal tumours is justified by a subsequent improvement in surgical management.