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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Scrotal swelling or hydrocele is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis described in the literature. We present a case of penoscrotal swelling caused by the first...
: Scrotal swelling or hydrocele is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis described in the literature. We present a case of penoscrotal swelling caused by the first attack of acute interstitial edematous alcohol-induced pancreatitis in a young male patient. : A 22-year-old man was admitted to the emergency unit due to diarrhea and vomiting since morning which was followed by severe abdominal pain. Urgent abdominal multislice CT scan showed steatosis, pancreatic swelling and acute peripancreatic fluid collection (interstitial edematous pancreatitis). Also, scan showed fluid between small bowel loops and along the anterior renal fascia, while there was minimal amount of fluid in the Douglas space. There was no sign of penoscrotal swelling. On the second day of admission, the patient developed left scrotal swelling and mild pain without erythema. On the fourth day, a control CT scan showed progression to moderately severe pancreatitis (CT severity index 4). Dilated scrotal veins of the pampiniform venous plexus with an increased caliber of the testicular veins were present on both sides, from the scrotum to the level of the inguinal canal. Penoscrotal swelling was significantly reduced on discharge. : Penoscrotal swelling is a rare complication or manifestation of acute inflammation of the pancreas. It is important to identify scrotal swelling caused by pancreatitis because in severe cases it can be related to possible infertility in the future.
Topics: Humans; Male; Scrotum; Young Adult; Edema; Pancreatitis; Acute Disease; Adult; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38793003
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050820 -
Biomedicines May 2024In patients with end-stage renal failure requiring hemodialysis, autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is preferred over tunneled dialysis catheters due to lower...
In patients with end-stage renal failure requiring hemodialysis, autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is preferred over tunneled dialysis catheters due to lower complications and costs. However, AVF maturation failure remains a common issue due to small vein size, multiple venipunctures, and other factors. Guidelines recommend using vessels of >2 mm for forearm AVFs and >3 mm for upper arm AVFs. This study investigates the use of intraoperative Doppler ultrasound (DUS)-guided Balloon-Assisted Maturation (BAM) with drug-eluting balloons (DEB) during initial AVF creation. Data from 114 AVF procedures, of which 27.2% underwent BAM, were analyzed. BAM was performed in 25 distal radio-cephalic and 6 proximal brachio-cephalic AVFs. With DUS guidance, vein stenosis was identified and treated using DEB. Technical success was achieved in all cases, with no early mortality. Early BAM-related complications were minimal, and no AVF thrombosis occurred. AVF maturation time was 15 days (SD: 3), and no further complications were reported during a mean follow-up of 10.38 months. Using BAM with DEB during AVF creation led to successful maturation and dialysis use without the need for secondary procedures. This study emphasizes the importance of identifying AVF failure risk early and utilizing DUS-guided procedures to enhance AVF outcomes. A more liberal use of intraoperative BAM could limit reinterventions in patients undergoing AVFs.
PubMed: 38790967
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051005 -
Tislelizumab combined with GT chemotherapy for intimal sarcoma of inferior vena cava: A case report.Medicine May 2024Intimal sarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with no typical symptoms and specific imaging features in the early stage, and there is a lack...
RATIONALE
Intimal sarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with no typical symptoms and specific imaging features in the early stage, and there is a lack of standardized treatment and methods.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 54-year-old female patient presented to Fenghua District People's Hospital with a post-active cough and hemoptysis and was subsequently referred to our hospital.
DIAGNOSES
The patient was pathologically diagnosed as intimal sarcoma of IVC complicating multiple intrapulmonary metastases. Chest CT revealed left lung malignant tumor with multiple intrapulmonary metastases; while enhanced upper abdominal CT showed cancer embolus of IVC with extension to right atrium and bilateral renal veins. Besides, hematoxylin and eosin staining suggested intimal sarcoma of veins. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for PD-L1, Ki-67, CD31, Desmin and ERG.
INTERVENTIONS
The patient initially received GT chemotherapy (gemcitabine injection + docetaxel). Then, immunotherapy (tislelizumab) was added based on the results of genetic testing (TP53 gene mutation).
OUTCOMES
The disease was stabilized after receiving the treatment.
LESSONS
Given the lack of characteristic clinical manifestations in patients with intimal sarcoma of IVC, imaging examination combined with immunohistochemical index were helpful for diagnosis of intimal sarcoma of IVC. Furthermore, the combination of tislelizumab and GT chemotherapy was feasible in such patients with positive PD-L1 expression and TP53 mutation.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Vena Cava, Inferior; Sarcoma; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Vascular Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Gemcitabine; Deoxycytidine; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 38788046
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038056 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This case concentrates on the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), a rare vascular anomaly which contributes to central venous catheter (CVC) misplacement. A...
This case concentrates on the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), a rare vascular anomaly which contributes to central venous catheter (CVC) misplacement. A 72-year-old woman with renal insufficiency presented to the hospital with recurrent bleeding from her permanent CVC device placed in the right common jugular vein. An initial attempt to replace the device was unsuccessful, necessitating the placement of a secondary catheter in the left jugular vein. Shortly after the procedure, the patient developed swelling of the face and neck. Further diagnostic imaging, including a chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT), revealed CVC misplacement in the PLSVC and coronary sinus, thrombosis of the common jugular vein, and a posterior mediastinal hematoma. Conservative therapy of the mediastinal hematoma was implemented and proved effective in this case. A temporary CVC was inserted into the left femoral vein. Two months later, the catheter underwent further dysfunction and a decision was made to place a long-term permanent CVC via the right femoral vein. The patient is currently awaiting an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis use. This case emphasizes the importance of radiological techniques for CVC procedural placement, as well as the detection of congenital abnormalities. Providers regularly placing CVCs should have an in-depth knowledge of the possible complications and potential anatomical variations, especially as seen in high-risk patients.
PubMed: 38786336
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14101038 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Nov 2023Globally, renal replacement therapy especially haemodialysis remains pivotal in the effective care of patients with kidney diseases since its acceptance as a treatment...
BACKGROUND
Globally, renal replacement therapy especially haemodialysis remains pivotal in the effective care of patients with kidney diseases since its acceptance as a treatment modality. Despite being widely embraced as a therapeutic option, several factors still hamper its utilization. A clinical audit of this modality option will allow elucidation of haemodialysis practises and peculiarities.
METHODS
The charts and records of 280 patients with renal impairments dialyzed between March 1 2019 and February 28 2023 were evaluated in retrospect. Data on retrieved demographic and clinical information were analyzed using SPSS 25 and patients' short-term survival was determined using the Kaplan Meier survival analysis and log rank test.
RESULTS
Out of the 280 patients who had 1716 dialysis sessions, 184 (65.7%) were males. The mean age was 47.9 ± 17.5 years. The majority (80.7%) of the patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD), as 90.2% of the dialysis sessions were for CKD. There was a male preponderance (69.1%) in the population. Hypertension was the commonest cause of CKD (41.2%) while sepsis was the commonest cause of acute kidney injury (50%). The median number of dialysis session was 4.0. The mean pre-dialysis hematocrit was 24.4 ± 7.1% and the mean single pool Kt/V was 0.9 ± 0.02. The femoral vein was the most used vascular access (95.4%). The short-term survival was positively related to the dialysis frequency on Kaplan-Meier analysis.
CONCLUSION
Haemodialytic therapy in patients with renal disease is still of huge impact on survival despite the numerous factors affecting its effective delivery, especially in low-income nations.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Developing Countries; Tertiary Care Centers; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Hypertension; Acute Kidney Injury; Young Adult; Sepsis; Kaplan-Meier Estimate
PubMed: 38784494
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i6.10 -
BMJ Case Reports May 2024A woman in her 80s was admitted to the emergency department with an acute infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 respiratory failure,...
A woman in her 80s was admitted to the emergency department with an acute infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 respiratory failure, culminating in cardiac arrest for 2 min. She was successfully resuscitated, connected to a mechanical ventilator and subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit. Later in her hospital stay, the patient underwent a tracheostomy following prolonged intubation.During this period, she developed septic shock with complications, including acute kidney injury, metabolic acidosis and volume overload. As a result, the nephrologist recommended emergency haemodialysis. Initially, a left femoral haemodialysis catheter was established but had to be withdrawn a few days later due to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A left internal jugular catheter was then inserted but was removed after 5 days due to another DVT. It was subsequently replaced with a central line for vasopressor support.A Doppler scan revealed a large thrombus in the right internal jugular vein, extending to the area just above the superior vena cava. A similar thrombus was detected in the left internal jugular vein, with weak blood flow observed in both the right and left subclavian veins. Although the subclavian vein flows were deemed adequate, there was unsatisfactory blood flow through the catheter after insertion, rendering it unsuitable for haemodialysis.Due to an earlier central line-related infection, the right femoral site exhibited signs of infection and the presence of a pus pocket, making it unsuitable for haemodialysis access. To address this, the right popliteal vein was chosen for catheterisation using a 20-cm, 12 French catheter, the longest available catheter in the country at the time. The patient was placed in a prone position, and the catheter was smoothly inserted with ultrasound guidance, resulting in good flow. Subsequent haemodialysis sessions were carried out regularly.
Topics: Humans; Female; Catheterization, Central Venous; Critical Illness; Aged, 80 and over; Popliteal Vein; Renal Dialysis; Venous Thrombosis; Renal Replacement Therapy; Jugular Veins
PubMed: 38782419
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-258796 -
Angiogenesis May 2024The presence of atherosclerotic plaque vessels is a critical factor in plaque destabilization. This may be attributable to the leaky phenotype of these microvessels,...
The presence of atherosclerotic plaque vessels is a critical factor in plaque destabilization. This may be attributable to the leaky phenotype of these microvessels, although direct proof for this notion is lacking. In this study, we investigated molecular and cellular patterns of stable and hemorrhaged human plaque to identify novel drivers of intraplaque vessel dysfunction. From transcriptome data of a human atherosclerotic lesion cohort, we reconstructed a co-expression network, identifying a gene module strongly and selectively correlated with both plaque microvascular density and inflammation. Spectrin Beta Non-Erythrocytic 1 (sptbn1) was identified as one of the central hubs of this module (along with zeb1 and dock1) and was selected for further study based on its predominant endothelial expression. Silencing of sptbn1 enhanced leukocyte transmigration and vascular permeability in vitro, characterized by an increased number of focal adhesions and reduced junctional VE-cadherin. In vivo, sptbn1 knockdown in zebrafish impaired the development of the caudal vein plexus. Mechanistically, increased substrate stiffness was associated with sptbn1 downregulation in endothelial cells in vitro and in human vessels. Plaque SPTBN1 mRNA and protein expression were found to correlate with an enhanced presence of intraplaque hemorrhage and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events during follow-up. In conclusion, we identify SPTBN1 as a central hub gene in a gene program correlating with plaque vascularisation. SPTBN1 was regulated by substrate stiffness in vitro while silencing blocked vascular development in vivo, and compromised barrier function in vitro. Together, SPTBN1 is identified as a new potential regulator of the leaky phenotype of atherosclerotic plaque microvessels.
PubMed: 38780883
DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09921-z -
Journal of the American Society of... May 2024This study sought to explore the prevalence and clinical utility of different patterns of multiorgan venous congestion as assessed by the venous excess ultrasound...
BACKGROUND
This study sought to explore the prevalence and clinical utility of different patterns of multiorgan venous congestion as assessed by the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure (HF).
METHODS
Consecutive patients admitted for acute HF were prospectively enrolled. Inferior vena cava diameter, hepatic vein, portal vein, and renal vein Doppler waveforms were assessed at admission, and patients were stratified based on VExUS score from 0 to 3, with higher values indicating worse congestion. The clinical score Get with the Guidelines (GWTG)-HF for predicting in-hospital mortality in HF was evaluated. In-hospital mortality was recorded.
RESULTS
Two hundred ninety patients admitted with acute HF were included, and 114 (39%) of them were classified as VExUS score 3, which was the most prevalent group. Patients with VExUS score 3 suffered more frequently from chronic atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, and anemia. Parameters independently associated with VExUS score 3 were higher mean E/e' ratio, larger right ventricular size, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and impaired right atrial function. A VExUS score of 3 was associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 8.03; 95% CI [2.25-28.61], P = .001). The addition of VExUS score on top of the GWTG-HF score improved the predictability of the model (Δx = +8.44, P = .03) for in-hospital mortality, whereas other indices of venous congestion (right atrial function, inferior vena cava size) did not.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients admitted with acute HF commonly had severe venous congestion based on the VExUS score. The VExUS score improved the prediction of in-hospital mortality compared with other indices of venous congestion.
PubMed: 38772454
DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2024.05.011 -
The American Surgeon May 2024This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes among severely injured trauma patients presenting with isolated blunt abdominal solid organ injuries with a pre-diagnosis...
National Analysis of Clinical Outcomes Associated With Cirrhotic Blunt Trauma Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy Versus Non-operative Management: A Propensity Case-Matched Analysis.
INTRODUCTION
This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes among severely injured trauma patients presenting with isolated blunt abdominal solid organ injuries with a pre-diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (LC) undergoing emergency laparotomy vs nonoperative management (NOM).
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study utilized the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File (ACS-TQIP-PUF) dataset from 2017 to 2021. Adults (≥18 years) with a pre-existing diagnosis of LC who presented with severe blunt (ISS ≥ 16) isolated solid organ abdominal injuries and underwent laparotomy or NOM were included. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit length of stay (ICU-LOS), and in-hospital complications such as acute renal failure and deep vein thrombosis.
RESULTS
929 patients were included in this analysis, with 355 undergoing laparotomy and 574 managed nonoperatively. Laparotomy patients suffered greater in-hospital mortality (n = 186, 52.3% vs n = 115, 20.0%; < .01), required significantly more blood within 4 hours (8.9 units vs 4.3 units, < .01), and had a significantly longer ICU-LOS (10.2 days vs 6.7 days, < .01). In the 1:1 propensity score matched analysis of 556 matched patients, in-hospital mortality was greater for laparotomy patients (52.3% vs 20.0%, < .01).
CONCLUSION
Laparotomy was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality in propensity-matched trauma patients, longer ICU-LOS, and more blood products given at 4 hours compared to NOM. These findings illustrate that NOM may be a safe approach in managing severely injured trauma patients with isolated blunt abdominal solid organ injuries and a pre-diagnosis of LC.
PubMed: 38770924
DOI: 10.1177/00031348241256078 -
Health Technology Assessment... May 2024Arteriovenous fistulas are considered the best option for haemodialysis provision, but as many as 30% fail to mature or suffer early failure. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Arteriovenous fistulas are considered the best option for haemodialysis provision, but as many as 30% fail to mature or suffer early failure.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial that examines whether, by informing early and effective salvage intervention of fistulas that would otherwise fail, Doppler ultrasound surveillance of developing arteriovenous fistulas improves longer-term arteriovenous fistula patency.
DESIGN
A prospective multicentre observational cohort study (the 'SONAR' study).
SETTING
Seventeen haemodialysis centres in the UK.
PARTICIPANTS
Consenting adults with end-stage renal disease who were scheduled to have an arteriovenous fistula created.
INTERVENTION
Participants underwent Doppler ultrasound surveillance of their arteriovenous fistulas at 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks after creation, with clinical teams blinded to the ultrasound surveillance findings.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Fistula maturation at week 10 defined according to ultrasound surveillance parameters of representative venous diameter and blood flow (wrist arteriovenous fistulas: ≥ 4 mm and > 400 ml/minute; elbow arteriovenous fistulas: ≥ 5 mm and > 500 ml/minute). Mixed multivariable logistic regression modelling of the early ultrasound scan data was used to predict arteriovenous fistula non-maturation by 10 weeks and fistula failure at 6 months.
RESULTS
A total of 333 arteriovenous fistulas were created during the study window (47.7% wrist, 52.3% elbow). By 2 weeks, 37 (11.1%) arteriovenous fistulas had failed (thrombosed), but by 10 weeks, 219 of 333 (65.8%) of created arteriovenous fistulas had reached maturity (60.4% wrist, 67.2% elbow). Persistently lower flow rates and venous diameters were observed in those fistulas that did not mature. Models for arteriovenous fistulas' non-maturation could be optimally constructed using the week 4 scan data, with fistula venous diameter and flow rate the most significant variables in explaining wrist fistula maturity failure (positive predictive value 60.6%, 95% confidence interval 43.9% to 77.3%), whereas resistance index and flow rate were most significant for elbow arteriovenous fistulas (positive predictive value 66.7%, 95% confidence interval 48.9% to 84.4%). In contrast to non-maturation, both models predicted fistula maturation much more reliably [negative predictive values of 95.4% (95% confidence interval 91.0% to 99.8%) and 95.6% (95% confidence interval 91.8% to 99.4%) for wrist and elbow, respectively]. Additional follow-up and modelling on a subset ( = 192) of the original SONAR cohort (the SONAR-12M study) revealed the rates of primary, assisted primary and secondary patency arteriovenous fistulas at 6 months were 76.5, 80.7 and 83.3, respectively. Fistula vein size, flow rate and resistance index could identify primary patency failure at 6 months, with similar predictive power as for 10-week arteriovenous fistula maturity failure, but with wide confidence intervals for wrist (positive predictive value 72.7%, 95% confidence interval 46.4% to 99.0%) and elbow (positive predictive value 57.1%, 95% confidence interval 20.5% to 93.8%). These models, moreover, performed poorly at identifying assisted primary and secondary patency failure, likely because a subset of those arteriovenous fistulas identified on ultrasound surveillance as at risk underwent subsequent successful salvage intervention without recourse to early ultrasound data.
CONCLUSIONS
Although early ultrasound can predict fistula maturation and longer-term patency very effectively, it was only moderately good at identifying those fistulas likely to remain immature or to fail within 6 months. Allied to the better- than-expected fistula patency rates achieved (that are further improved by successful salvage), we estimate that a randomised controlled trial comparing early ultrasound-guided intervention against standard care would require at least 1300 fistulas and would achieve only minimal patient benefit.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This trial is registered as ISRCTN36033877 and ISRCTN17399438.
FUNDING
This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR135572) and is published in full in ; Vol. 28, No. 24. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Prospective Studies; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Aged; Vascular Patency; United Kingdom; Adult
PubMed: 38768043
DOI: 10.3310/YTBT4172