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European Journal of Emergency Medicine... Apr 2023Identifying patients at risk of difficult intravenous access (DIVA) and increasing the success rates of peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC), preferably on the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Identifying patients at risk of difficult intravenous access (DIVA) and increasing the success rates of peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC), preferably on the first catheterization attempt, is of clinical importance. The aim of this study was to compare the use of dynamic ultrasound guidance for PIVC with the traditional technique of visualization and palpation in patients with predicted DIVA. A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing ultrasound-guided PIVC with the traditional technique was performed. Data were systematically collected through MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to March 2021. Eligibility criteria included randomized controlled trials performed on patients meeting criteria for difficult catheterization comprising either (a) no palpable or visible veins, (b) previous history of difficult venous catheterization, (c) patient age less than 4 years, (d) suspicion of difficult catheterization by operator, or (e) two or more unsuccessful attempts using the traditional technique before enrollment were included. For all outcomes, a random-effects meta-analysis using the DerSimonian and Laird method was performed. The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate, and the secondary outcomes were the overall success rate and the number of attempts for successful intravenous catheterization. Bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Seven studies with a total of 994 patients were included. Patients comprised both children and adults and settings included operating rooms, emergency departments, and intensive care units. Ultrasound guidance was associated with a higher first-attempt success rate (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.66-5.65; P < 0.001). For the secondary outcomes, ultrasound guidance was associated with a higher overall success rate (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.04-8.79; P = 0.04); however, this finding did not meet statistical significance in a sensitivity analysis (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 0.71-11.93; P = 0.14). Ultrasound was not associated with a significantly different number of attempts compared with the traditional technique (difference in means, 0.14; 95% CI, -0.32 to 0.05; P = 0.15). The use of ultrasound guidance resulted in a three-fold increase in odds for the first-attempt success rate in patients with predicted DIVA compared with the traditional technique of PIVC.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Child, Preschool; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Catheterization, Peripheral; Infusions, Intravenous; Ultrasonography; Veins
PubMed: 36727865
DOI: 10.1097/MEJ.0000000000000993 -
Surgical Neurology International 2022Nontraumatic true superficial temporal artery aneurysm (STAA) is rare, and its characteristics and pathogenesis are unclear. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Nontraumatic true superficial temporal artery aneurysm (STAA) is rare, and its characteristics and pathogenesis are unclear.
METHODS
We report a case of STAA and performed a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using the keyword "superficial temporal artery aneurysm" to include studies on STAA reported through July 2022. We excluded studies on STAA associated with trauma, arterial dissection, infection, or vasculitis.
RESULTS
A 63-year-old woman who underwent left superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery 8 years previously was diagnosed with an aneurysm located at the left STA. The blood flow volume estimated by ultrasonography was higher in the left STA than in the contralateral counterpart (114 mL/min vs. 32 mL/min). She underwent clipping surgery to prevent aneurysmal rupture without sequela. The lesion was diagnosed as a true aneurysm by histology. The systematic review identified 63 cases (including the present case) of nontraumatic true STAA. The median age of the patients was 57 (interquartile range [IQR]: 41-70) years. Most (90.5%) cases were detected as a palpable mass. Aneurysmal rupture occurred in only 1 (1.6%) case, despite the large size of aneurysms (median size: 13 [IQR: 8-20] mm) and the high frequency (33.3%) of aneurysmal growth during observation. Most (93.7%) patients underwent surgical resection of STAA without sequela.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the pathogenesis of true STAA is promoted by hemodynamic stress. The systematic review clarified patients' and aneurysmal characteristics and treatment outcomes, providing further insight into the pathogenesis of nontraumatic true STAA.
PubMed: 36600761
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_848_2022 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2023IgA vasculitis (IgAV), previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common vasculitis of childhood but may also occur in adults. This small vessel... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
IgA vasculitis (IgAV), previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common vasculitis of childhood but may also occur in adults. This small vessel vasculitis is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis or arthralgia and kidney involvement. This is an update of a review first published in 2009 and updated in 2015.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of different agents (used singularly or in combination) compared with placebo, no treatment or any other agent for (1) the prevention of severe kidney disease in people with IgAV with or without kidney involvement at onset, (2) the treatment of established severe kidney disease (macroscopic haematuria, proteinuria, nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome with or without acute kidney failure) in IgAV, and (3) the prevention of recurrent episodes of IgAV-associated kidney disease.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 2 February 2023 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing interventions used to prevent or treat kidney disease in IgAV compared with placebo, no treatment or other agents were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently determined study eligibility, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from each study. Statistical analyses were performed using the random-effects model, and the results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
MAIN RESULTS
Twenty studies (1963 enrolled participants) were identified; one three-arm study has been assessed as two studies. Nine studies were at low risk of bias for sequence generation (selection bias), and nine studies were at low risk of bias for allocation concealment (selection bias). Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) and outcome assessment (detection bias) was at low risk of bias in four and seven studies, respectively. Nine studies reported complete outcome data (attrition bias), while 10 studies reported expected outcomes, so were at low risk of reporting bias. Five studies were at low risk of other bias. Eleven studies evaluated therapy to prevent persistent kidney disease in IgAV with or without kidney involvement at presentation. There was probably no difference in the risk of persistent kidney disease any time after treatment (5 studies, 746 children: RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.32) or at one, three, six and 12 months in children given prednisone for 14 to 28 days at presentation of IgAV compared with placebo or supportive treatment (moderate certainty evidence). There may be no differences in the risk of any persistent kidney disease with antiplatelet therapy (three studies) or heparin (two studies) in children with or without any kidney disease at study entry, although heparin may reduce the risk of proteinuria by three months compared with placebo or no specific treatment (2 studies, 317 children: RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.73). One study comparing montelukast with placebo found no differences in outcomes as assessed by severity scale scores. Nine studies examined the treatment of severe IgAV-associated kidney disease. In two studies (one involving 56 children and the other involving 54 adults), there may be no differences in efficacy outcomes or adverse effects with cyclophosphamide compared with placebo or supportive treatment. In two studies, there may be no differences in the numbers achieving remission of proteinuria with intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (65 children evaluated) or tacrolimus (142 children evaluated). In three small studies comparing cyclosporin with methylprednisolone (15 children), MMF with azathioprine (26 children), or MMF with leflunomide (19 children), it is unclear whether the treatment had any effect on the numbers in remission or the degree of proteinuria between treatment groups because of small numbers of included participants. In one study comparing plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone, there may be no difference in the numbers achieving remission. One study compared fosinopril with no specific therapy and reported fosinopril reduced the number of participants with proteinuria. No studies were identified that evaluated the efficacy of therapy on kidney disease in participants with recurrent episodes of IgAV.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There are no substantial changes in conclusions from this update compared with the initial review or the previous update despite the addition of five studies. From generally low to moderate certainty evidence, we found that there may be little or no benefit in the use of corticosteroids or antiplatelet agents to prevent persistent kidney disease in children with IgAV in participants with no or minimal kidney involvement at presentation. We did not find any studies which evaluated corticosteroids in children presenting with IgAV and nephritic and/or nephrotic syndrome, although corticosteroids are recommended in such children in guidelines. Though heparin may be effective in reducing proteinuria, this potentially dangerous therapy is not justified to prevent serious kidney disease when few children with IgAV develop severe kidney disease. There may be no benefit of cyclophosphamide compared with no specific treatment or corticosteroids. While there may be no benefit in the efficacy of MMF or tacrolimus compared with IV cyclophosphamide in children or adults with IgAV and severe kidney disease, adverse effects, particularly infections, may be lower in MMF or tacrolimus-treated children. Because of small patient numbers and events leading to imprecision in results, it remains unclear whether cyclosporin, MMF or leflunomide have any role in the treatment of children with IgAV and severe kidney disease. We did not identify any studies which evaluated corticosteroids.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Fosinopril; IgA Vasculitis; Kidney Diseases; Leflunomide; Proteinuria; Tacrolimus; Vasculitis
PubMed: 36853224
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005128.pub4 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2022Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of ulcerative colitis (UC). Observations about its association with UC stem from case... (Review)
Review
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of ulcerative colitis (UC). Observations about its association with UC stem from case reports and small case series. Due to its rarity, more rigorous cross-sectional studies are scarce and difficult to conduct. The aim of this systematic review was to synthetize the knowledge on this association by reviewing published literature in the form of both case reports and case series; and report the findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. In contrast to LCV in Chron disease (CD), which occurs secondary to biologic therapies used for its treatment, LCV in UC is a true reactive skin manifestation. Both genders are equally affected. Palpable purpura (41%) and erythematous plaques (27%) are the most common clinical manifestations. In 41% of patients, the rash is painful, and the lower extremities are most commonly involved (73%). Systemic symptoms such as fever, arthralgias, fatigue, and malaise are seen in 60% of patients. Unlike previous reports, we found that LCV more commonly occurs after the UC diagnosis (59%), and 68% of patients have active intestinal disease at the time of LCV diagnosis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is positive in 41% of patients, and 36% of patients have other EIMs present concomitantly with LCV. The majority of patients were treated with corticosteroids (77%), and two (10%) required colectomy to control UC and LCV symptoms. Aside from one patient who died from unrelated causes, all others survived with their rash typically resolving without scarring (82%).
PubMed: 35160187
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030739 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022To compare the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results of single-incision scrotal orchiopexy (SISO) and traditional two-incision inguinal orchiopexy (TTIO) for primary...
Comparison of Single-Incision Scrotal Orchiopexy and Traditional Two-Incision Inguinal Orchiopexy for Primary Palpable Undescended Testis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
PURPOSE
To compare the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results of single-incision scrotal orchiopexy (SISO) and traditional two-incision inguinal orchiopexy (TTIO) for primary palpable undescended testes (PUDTs) in children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search of all relevant studies published on PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science database, and Wanfang data until July 2021 was conducted. The operative time, hospitalization duration, conversion rate, wound infection or dehiscence, scrotal hematoma or swelling, testicular atrophy, reascent, hernia or hydrocele, analgesics needs, and cosmetic results were compared between SISO and TTIO using the Mantel-Haenszel or inverse-variance method.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies involving 2,627 children (1,362 SISOs and 1,265 TTIOs) were included in the final analysis. The conversion rate of SISO was 3.6%. The SISO approach had a statistically significant shorter operative time than the TTIO approach for PUDT (weighted mean difference-11.96, 95% confidence interval -14.33 to -9.59, I = 79%, < 0.00001) and a shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference-1.05, 95% confidence interval -2.07 to -0.03, = 0.04). SISO needed fewer analgesics and had better cosmetic results than TTIO. SISO had a similar total, short-term, or long-term complication rate with TTIO.
CONCLUSION
Compared with TTIO, SISO has the advantages of shorter operative time, shorter hospitalization duration, less postoperative pain, and better cosmetic appealing results. SISO is a safe, effective, promising, and potential minimal invasive surgical approach for PUDT. SISO is an alternative to TTIO in selected cryptorchid patients, especially for lower positioned ones.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42021268562.
PubMed: 35372152
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.805579 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Feb 2024Percutaneous tracheostomy is routinely performed in adult patients but is seldomly used in the pediatric population due to concerns regarding safety and limited... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Percutaneous tracheostomy is routinely performed in adult patients but is seldomly used in the pediatric population due to concerns regarding safety and limited available evidence. This study aims to consolidate the current literature on percutaneous tracheostomy in the pediatric population.
METHODS
A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for studies on pediatric percutaneous tracheostomy (age ≤18). The Joanna Briggs Institute and ROBINS-I tools were used for quality appraisal.
RESULTS
Twenty-one articles were included resulting in 143 patients. Patient age ranged from 2 days to 17 years, with the largest subpopulation of patients (n = 57, 40 %) being adolescents (age between 12 and 17 years old). Main indications for percutaneous tracheostomy included prolonged ventilation (n = 6), respiratory insufficiency (n = 5), and upper airway obstruction (n = 5). One-third (n = 47) of percutaneous tracheostomies were completed at the bedside in an intensive care unit. Select studies reported on surgical time and time from intubation to tracheostomy with a mean of 13.8 (SD = 7.8) minutes (n = 27) and 8.9 (SD = 2.8) days (n = 35), respectively. Major postoperative complications included tracheoesophageal fistula (n = 4, 2.8 %) and pneumothorax (n = 3, 2.1 %). There were four conversions to open tracheostomy.
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous tracheostomy had a similar risk of complications to open surgical tracheostomy in children and adolescents and can be performed at the bedside in a select group of patients if necessary. However, we feel that consideration must be given to the varying anatomical considerations in children and adolescents compared with adults, and therefore suggest that this procedure be reserved for adolescent patients with a thin body habitus and clearly demarcated and palpable anatomical landmarks who require a tracheostomy. When performed, we strongly support using endoscopic guidance and a surgeon who has the ability to convert to an open tracheostomy if required.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Infant, Newborn; Tracheostomy; Postoperative Complications; Endoscopy; Intensive Care Units; Operative Time
PubMed: 38185003
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111856 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... May 2024Nipple adenomas (NAs) are rare benign proliferative tumors presenting as palpable nodules, erosive lesions, or nipple discharge, mimicking other conditions. This...
BACKGROUND
Nipple adenomas (NAs) are rare benign proliferative tumors presenting as palpable nodules, erosive lesions, or nipple discharge, mimicking other conditions. This systematic review categorizes cases into sole NA (ONA) or co-diagnoses with other conditions (CONA) to enhance clinical recognition, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy.
METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, a PubMed search was conducted for NA. Inclusion criteria covered original research, excluding reviews or other breast diseases. Bias risk was assessed through a thorough search, authors independently evaluated studies, and data were synthesized using varied measures. Subgroups ONA and CONA were formed. Analyses were conducted in Excel and R, complemented by a qualitative review due to case report predominance. Biases in case reports were transparently addressed.
RESULTS
Of the 86 studies, 387 cases were analyzed, showing 10.34% with co-diagnoses of malignant or premalignant conditions. Mean age was 44, with a female predominance (97%). ONA (347 cases) and CONA (40 cases) subgroups exhibited variations in symptoms, physical findings, and imaging. Treatment modalities included excision (51.39%), biopsy alone (11.1%), and mastectomy (8.6%). Mean follow-up of 56.73 months revealed recurrence (2.87%) and malignancy development (1.79%), notably in CONA cases (33.33%).
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides insights into the broader age range of NA and its associations. Higher co-diagnosis rates were correlated with older age, highlighting the necessity for thorough investigation, with excision as the primary treatment. Follow-up emphasizes the significance of identifying and monitoring CONA cases, which pose a higher malignancy risk. Recurrence is presumed to be linked to proper lesion excision and co-diagnosis.
PubMed: 38798941
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005827 -
European Urology Focus Mar 2023Unlike palpable lumps, a large number of nonpalpable testicular lesions found incidentally at ultrasound in asymptomatic postpuberal males are either benign tumours or... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Unlike palpable lumps, a large number of nonpalpable testicular lesions found incidentally at ultrasound in asymptomatic postpuberal males are either benign tumours or non-neoplastic lesions. The prevalence of malignancy, however, is appraised based on small case series. Dedicated studies report a large number of patients, and systematic review articles are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review is aimed to assess, from the analysis of the pooled data of the available literature, the incidence of benign tumours, malignant tumours, and non-neoplastic lesions, and to identify predictive characteristics for malignancy.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database, and the Cochrane Library was conducted on January 6, 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Studies were retrieved reporting on adult asymptomatic men, with single, incidentally identified small testicular lesions, either fertile or infertile, with negative tumour markers and without specific risk factors for malignancy. Lesions ≤20 mm were considered small. Seventy-four studies were selected for inclusion in this analysis. Twenty-six additional publications have been retrieved by the bibliography quoted in the selected articles.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Pooled data of 1348 lesions in 1348 patients were collected. Of these lesions, 408 could be retrieved individually, 44.6% were benign, 27.2% were malignant, and 20.8% were non-neoplastic. Virtually all lesions <3 mm and 86.6% of lesions <5 mm were benign. Lesions >10 mm have a 38.14% probability of being benign. Hyperechoic lesions are likely benign. Fertility status does not affect the risk of malignancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Very small (<3 mm) and small (<5 mm) incidentally detected testicular lesions in asymptomatic postpuberal men with normal tumour markers could be frequently benign. More prospective studies are needed to better support this finding. Management strategies should be developed for these patients to reduce overtreatment.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Small testicular lesions are incidentally founded at ultrasound. It is not easy to distinguish a benign lesion from a malignant one. Results of this study are reporting a higher incidence of benign lesions with a diameter of <5 mm. More studies are needed to better understand the biology and the management strategy for small testicular lesions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Testicular Neoplasms; Ultrasonography; Prospective Studies; Infertility
PubMed: 36257887
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2022.10.001 -
Hernia : the Journal of Hernias and... Oct 2021To sum all available evidence regarding mesh or mesh fixation material intestinal erosion following inguinal hernia repair and identify the parameters that lead to early... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To sum all available evidence regarding mesh or mesh fixation material intestinal erosion following inguinal hernia repair and identify the parameters that lead to early (< 6 months) versus late (> 6 months) symptom presentation.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases was undertaken to identify relevant studies published up to June 2020.
RESULTS
A total of 54 case reports or cases series, incorporating 57 intestinal erosions were identified. Overall, 13 patients (23%) experienced early intestinal erosions occurring during the first 6 postoperative months while the remaining 44 events (67%) occurred after 6 months. Patients presented most commonly with symptoms of acute obstruction (n = 18, 31.5%), followed by signs of a palpable inguinal mass in 15 patients (26.3%). The late presentation group exhibited significantly more cases of mesh erosion when compared to the early presentation group (100% versus 46.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Conversely, early presenting cases were more often associated with mesh fixation material erosion (53.8% versus 6.8% in the late group, p < 0.001) and were more likely to develop symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction (61.5% versus 22.8%, p = 0.01). An open primary procedure was more common in late presenting cases (65.9% versus 7.7%, p < 0.001) while early presentation was linked to minimally invasive primary procedures (92.3% versus 34.2%, p < 0.001). Bowel resection was more frequently required in late presenting cases (84.1% versus 46.2%, p = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal erosion from prosthetic material is a rare complication of hernia repair leading to considerable morbidity. Prompt operative repair is key in avoiding catastrophic consequences.
Topics: Groin; Hernia, Inguinal; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Laparoscopy; Surgical Mesh
PubMed: 33136212
DOI: 10.1007/s10029-020-02324-1 -
Cancers Oct 2021Wire-guided localisation (WGL) has been the gold-standard for localising non-palpable breast lesions before excision. Due to its drawbacks, various wireless alternatives... (Review)
Review
Wire-guided localisation (WGL) has been the gold-standard for localising non-palpable breast lesions before excision. Due to its drawbacks, various wireless alternatives have been developed, including LOCalizer™, which is based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. In this systematic review, we consulted EMBASE, Medline and PubMed databases using appropriate search terms regarding the use of RFID technology in the localisation of occult breast lesions. Retrospective and prospective studies were included if they quoted the number of patients, rate of successful placement, retrieval rate, margin positivity rate and the re-excision rate. In addition, studies comparing RFID to WGL were also included and analysed separately. Seven studies were included in this systematic review spanning 1151 patients and 1344 tags. The pooled deployment rate was 99.1% and retrieval rate was 100%. Re-excision rate was 13.9%. One complication was identified. Two studies compared RFID with WGL (128 vs. 282 patients respectively). For both techniques the re-excision rate was 15.6% (20/128 vs. 44/282 respectively, value is 0.995). Based on our review, LOCalizer™ is safe and non-inferior to WGL in terms of successful localisation and re-excision rates. However, further research is required to assess the cost effectiveness of this approach and its impact on the aesthetic outcome compared with WGL and other wire free technologies to better inform decision making in service planning and provision.
PubMed: 34638480
DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194996