Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a fatal aggressive infectious disease. We aimed to assess the major contributing factors of mortality in NF patients.
A retrospective study was conducted at a single ...surgical intensive care unit between 2000 and 2013. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their in-hospital outcome (survivors versus non-survivors).
During a14-year period, 331 NF patients were admitted with a mean age of 50.8 ± 15.4 years and 74 % of them were males Non-survivors (26 %) were 14.5 years older (p = 0.001) and had lower frequency of pain (p = 0.01) and fever (p = 0.001) than survivors (74 %) at hospital presentation. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were more prevalent among non-survivors (p = 0.001). The 2 groups were comparable for the site of infection; except for sacral region that was more involved in non-survivors (p = 0.005). On admission, non-survivors had lower hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), platelet count (p = 0.02), blood glucose levels (p = 0.07) and had higher serum creatinine (p = 0.001). Non-survivors had greater median LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for NECrotizing fasciitis score) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (p = 0.001). Polybacterial and monobacterial gram negative infections were more evident in non-survivors group. Monobacterial pseudomonas (p = 0.01) and proteus infections (p = 0.005) were reported more among non-survivors. The overall mortality was 26 % and the major causes of death were bacteremia, septic shock and multiorgan failure. Multivariate analysis showed that age and SOFA score were independent predictors of mortality in the entire study population.
The mortality rate is quite high as one quarter of NF patients died during hospitalization. The present study highlights the clinical and laboratory characteristics and predictors of mortality in NF patients.
Median sternotomy is the most popular approach in cardiac surgery. Post-sternotomy wound complications are rare, but the occurrence of a deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a catastrophic event ...associated with higher morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and increased costs. A literature review was performed by searching PubMed from January 1996 to August 2017 according to the guidelines in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The following keywords were used in various combinations: DSWI, post-sternotomy complication, and sternal reconstruction. Thirty-nine papers were included in our qualitative analysis, in which each aspect of the DSWI-related care process was analyzed and compared to the actual standard of care. Plastic surgeons are often involved too late in such clinical scenarios, when previous empirical treatments have failed and a definitive reconstruction is needed. The aim of this comprehensive review was to create an up-to-date operative flowchart to prevent and properly treat sternal wound infection complications after median sternotomy.
The epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) have not been adequately documented from the rapidly developing countries in the Arab Middle East. We aimed ...to describe the hospital-based epidemiologic characteristics, injury mechanisms, clinical presentation, and outcomes of pTBI and analyze key characteristics and determinant of pTBI that could help to make recommendations for policies to improve their care.
We conducted a retrospective observational study in a level 1 trauma center (2010-2014) for all pTBI patients. Data were analyzed and compared according to different patient age groups.
Out of 945 traumatic brain injury patients, 167 (17.7%) were ≤ 18 years old with a mean age of 10.6 ± 5.9 and 81% were males. The rate of pTBI varied from 5 to 14 cases per 100,000 children per year. The most affected group was teenagers (15-18 years; 40%) followed by infants/toddlers (≤ 4 years; 23%). Motor vehicle crash (MVC; 47.3%) was the most frequent mechanism of injury followed by falls (21.6%). MVC accounted for a high proportion of pTBI among teenagers (77.3%) and adolescents (10-14 years; 48.3%). Fall was a common cause of pTBI for infants/toddlers (51.3%) and 5-9 years old group (30.3%). The proportion of brain contusion was significantly higher in adolescents (61.5%) and teenagers (58.6%). Teenagers had higher mean Injury Severity Scoring of 24.2 ± 9.8 and lower median (range) Glasgow Coma Scale of 3 (3-15) (
= 0.001 for all). The median ventilatory days and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were significantly prolonged in the teenage group. Also, pTBI in teenage group showed higher association with pneumonia (46.4%) and sepsis (17.3%) than other age groups (
= 0.01). The overall mortality rate was 13% (
= 22); 11 died within the first 24 h, 7 died between the second and seventh day and 4 died one week post-admission. Among MVC victims, a decreasing trend of case fatality rate (CFR) was observed with age; teenagers had the highest CFR (85.7) followed by adolescents (75.0), young children (33.3), and infants/toddlers (12.5).
This local experience to describe the burden of pTBI could be a basis to adopt and form an efficient, tailored strategy for safety in the pediatric population.
Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious cardiovascular and pulmonary complication worldwide. We aimed to assess the implications of different computed tomography pulmonary angiography ...(CTPA) parameters in patients with acute PE.
Methods: A retrospective observational study to include patients presented with clinical suspicious of PE who underwent CTPA was conducted. Patients' demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors, laboratory investigations, management, and outcome were analyzed. Computed tomography findings included clot burden (Qanadli score QS) and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) parameters.
Results: A total of 45 patients with radiologically confirmed diagnosis of PE were included in the study; of these patients, 8 (17.8%) died during the hospital course. Patients who died were 13 years older than those who survived, and the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with cancer. The two groups were comparable for cardiovascular parameters. The mean clot burden (QS) was 19.5 ± 11.3 points and 53% of patients had QS >18 points. Obesity (52.4% vs. 12.5%; P = 0.01), hypertension (54.4% vs. 23.8%; P= 0.03), and median D-dimer levels (7.8 vs. 3.4; P = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients with QS >18. Among right ventricular (RV) dysfunction parameters, only higher RV/left ventricular (LV) ratio (P = 0.001) and bowing of interventricular septum (P = 0.001) were associated with higher QS. A significant positive correlation was found between RV short axis (r = 0.499, P = 0.001), RV/LV ratio (r = 0.592, P = 0.001), and pulmonary artery (PA) diameter (r = 0.301, P = 0.04) with the PA clot burden. Receiver operating characteristic curve for clot burden showed a cutoff value of 17.5 points to accurately predict RV dysfunction.
Conclusions: Clot burden >18 is associated with RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. Echocardiography and RVD parameters showed no correlation with in-hospital deaths. CTPA has clinicoradiological implications for risk stratification in PE patients. As the sample size is small, our findings warrant further larger prospective studies.
Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual clinical entity accounting for 0.4-0.5% of all breast neoplasms. The usual presentation includes a painless palpable mass similar to that of breast ...carcinoma. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common identifiable type of PBL based on the histopathological examination.
We report an unusual case of a 43-year-old Indonesian woman who presented with a 7-month history of a painless mass in the left breast. A core needle biopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of large atypical lymphoid cells. The immuno-histochemical biomarkers confirmed the diagnosis of a DLBCL. A bone scan showed no evidence of bone metastasis. It was treated non-surgically, based on the decision of the breast multidisciplinary team (MDT). The patient was treated with 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy with R-CODOX/IVAC. A follow-up PET scan revealed non-significant mild F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake at the periphery of the residual left breast mass, indicating a radiologically favorable response.
Early and accurate diagnosis of PBL is crucial for selecting the appropriate MDT treatment strategies to avert potentially harmful surgical interventions.
To investigate the presentation, management and outcomes of left and right-sided traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) in a single level I trauma center.
This cross-sectional study was conducted ...during a 7-year period from 2008 to 2015 in a level I trauma center in Qatar. We included all the patients who presented with TDIs during the study period. Data included demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, initial vitals, emergency department disposition, length of ICU and hospital stay, ventilator days, management, and outcomes. The variables were analyzed and compared for patients with left (LTDI) and right (RTDI).
A total of 52 TDI cases (79% LTDI and 21% RTDI) were identified with a mean age of 31±11. LTDI patients were more likely to have higher Injury severity scores (
=0.50) and greater AAST organ injury scoring (
=0.661 for all) than RTDI patients. Surgical repair was performed for 85% LTDI vs. 73% RTDI (
=0.342). Recurrent DIs was reported only in LTDI (5.1% vs. 0.0%;
=0.911). Twelve patients died (9 LTDI and 3 RTDI), of them 5 had associated head injury.
This single-institution study confirms that LTDI are more commonly diagnosed than RTDI. Exploratory laparotomy is the most frequent procedure considered for the management of diaphragmatic injuries in the emergency settings. To improve outcomes in patients presenting with TDI, large prospective multicenter studies are needed to standardize the TDI management protocols including the diagnostic workup, timing of surgical intervention, and the most appropriate approach of treatment.
Abstract Obesity has become a major health concern, with a prevalence rate approaching epidemic states. An inverse relationship between men′s body weight and semen parameters has been observed, ...suggesting a favourable role for weight loss in improving fertility. This prospective study included 46 patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, who were investigated with semen analysis and serum hormone tests before and 12 months after surgery. Patients were divided into three groups according to their initial sperm concentration; median loss of body mass index was used as a cut-off to further classify patients according to extent of weight loss. Patients' preoperative seminal investigations revealed azoospermia in 13 (28.3%), oligospermia in 19 (41.3%) and normal sperm concentration in 14 (30.4%). Overall, only serum testosterone significantly increased after surgery ( P < 0.001). Between study groups, the increase in sperm concentration was statistically significant in men with azoospermia and oligospermia (both P < 0.05), whereas serum testosterone was statistically significant in all groups ( P < 0.001). Changes in semen and hormone tests were not affected by the extent of weight loss experienced by patients. Weight loss from bariatric surgery had a favourable effect on serum testosterone levels and semen parameters of patients with pre-existing azoospermia and oligospermia.
...she had multiple bilateral lung contusions; acute displaced fractures of the right transverse processes of T12, L1, L2, L3, and L4 vertebrae; acute nondisplaced fracture of the spinous process of ...L5; and acute compression fracture of the superior end plate of T8 with minimal loss of vertebral body height (less than 25%). ...she had near complete nonenhancement of the kidneys bilaterally. ...she had a right nondisplaced tibial fracture. Percutaneous endovascular revascularization is gaining popularity over surgical vascularization because technology and capability is advanced. Because the endovascular approach can result in the desired outcome while minimizing invasiveness, this proven approach will continue to be an integral part of managing renal vascular injuries.
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