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JAMA Pediatrics Apr 2024Diagnostic delays are common in the emergency department (ED) and may predispose to worse outcomes.
IMPORTANCE
Diagnostic delays are common in the emergency department (ED) and may predispose to worse outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of annual pediatric volume in the ED with delayed diagnosis.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study included all children younger than 18 years treated at 954 EDs in 8 states with a first-time diagnosis of any of 23 acute, serious conditions: bacterial meningitis, compartment syndrome, complicated pneumonia, craniospinal abscess, deep neck infection, ectopic pregnancy, encephalitis, intussusception, Kawasaki disease, mastoiditis, myocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis, nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, orbital cellulitis, osteomyelitis, ovarian torsion, pulmonary embolism, pyloric stenosis, septic arthritis, sinus venous thrombosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, stroke, or testicular torsion. Patients were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State ED and Inpatient Databases. Data were collected from January 2015 to December 2019, and data were analyzed from July to December 2023.
EXPOSURE
Annual volume of children at the first ED visited.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Possible delayed diagnosis, defined as a patient with an ED discharge within 7 days prior to diagnosis. A secondary outcome was condition-specific complications. Rates of possible delayed diagnosis and complications were determined. The association of volume with delayed diagnosis across conditions was evaluated using conditional logistic regression matching on condition, age, and medical complexity. Condition-specific volume-delay associations were tested using hierarchical logistic models with log volume as the exposure, adjusting for age, sex, payer, medical complexity, and hospital urbanicity. The association of delayed diagnosis with complications by condition was then examined using logistic regressions.
RESULTS
Of 58 998 included children, 37 211 (63.1%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 7.1 (5.8) years. A total of 6709 (11.4%) had a complex chronic condition. Delayed diagnosis occurred in 9296 (15.8%; 95% CI, 15.5-16.1). Each 2-fold increase in annual pediatric volume was associated with a 26.7% (95% CI, 22.5-30.7) decrease in possible delayed diagnosis. For 21 of 23 conditions (all except ectopic pregnancy and sinus venous thrombosis), there were decreased rates of possible delayed diagnosis with increasing ED volume. Condition-specific complications were 11.2% (95% CI, 3.1-20.0) more likely among patients with a possible delayed diagnosis compared with those without.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
EDs with fewer pediatric encounters had more possible delayed diagnoses across 23 serious conditions. Tools to support timely diagnosis in low-volume EDs are needed.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Delayed Diagnosis; Emergency Service, Hospital; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 38345811
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.6672 -
Canadian Association of Radiologists... Feb 2024Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) includes non-invasive and invasive subtypes with the latter having significant morbidity and mortality. This systematic review aims to... (Review)
Review
Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) includes non-invasive and invasive subtypes with the latter having significant morbidity and mortality. This systematic review aims to identify the imaging features most correlated with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFRS) and present a checklist of these features to aid diagnosis. PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and Science Direct were searched from inception to May 2023, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Primary research articles published in English describing the imaging features of IFRS were included. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Forty-eight articles were identified for inclusion. Six studies examined radiological features in acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS), and 9 studies of chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (CIFRS). A majority of studies did not specify whether IFRS cases were acute or chronic. On CT, bony erosion and mucosal thickening were the most common features. Other features include nasal soft tissue thickening, nasal cavity opacification, opacification of the affected sinus, and perisinus soft tissue infiltration. Extra-sinus extension was commonly observed on MRI, most often invading intraorbitally and intracranially. Other sites of extra-sinus extension included the cavernous sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, masticator space, and facial soft tissue. IFRS is a condition with potential for high morbidity and mortality. Several radiological features are highly suggestive of IFRS. Early identification of high-risk radiological features using a checklist may aid prompt diagnosis and early treatment. Future research investigating the radiological differentiation between IFRS and other significant pathology including bacterial orbital cellulitis would be beneficial.
PubMed: 38344986
DOI: 10.1177/08465371241227424 -
Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024Mucormycosis is a progressive and life-threatening disease that has been increasingly reported in patients infected by coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). We describe...
Mucormycosis is a progressive and life-threatening disease that has been increasingly reported in patients infected by coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). We describe a case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis with central nervous system involvement resulting in bilateral blindness and intracranial extension in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) and mild COVID-19 infection. A 35-year-old obese male, recently diagnosed with DM, presented to the emergency department suffering from dizziness, headache, speech difficulty, and facial weakness. His glycosylated hemoglobin was 10.4% and his reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test came positive for COVID-19. Ocular examination revealed left eye proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and lid edema with no ocular movement. Imaging studies showed pansinusitis and periorbital and orbital cellulitis with intracranial involvement. Histopathology and biopsy examination confirmed mucormycosis. Medical management included glucose control and liposomal amphotericin B therapy. Septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed as emergency procedures. The patient survived with bilateral blindness. In this case, we described the importance of considering mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes, particularly those presenting with sinusitis, headache, and orbital edema symptoms. Despite intensive antifungal therapy and surgical intervention, it is a serious opportunistic fungal infection associated with long-term complications.
PubMed: 38343519
DOI: 10.4103/tjem.tjem_308_22 -
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical... 2024Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection that can cause acute clinical decompensation and death. The literature demonstrates case fatality rates around 50% with...
More than meets the eye: rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis with diabetic ketoacidosis presenting as periorbital edema resulting in orbital exenteration and maxillectomy.
Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection that can cause acute clinical decompensation and death. The literature demonstrates case fatality rates around 50% with differential clinical courses contingent upon anatomical incursion. Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis represents a rapidly hostile variant with poorer outcomes, warranting prompt recognition, workup, and intervention. It is seldom included in differential diagnoses in those with head and neck pathology within the inpatient setting as diagnostic parsimony and low prevalence lead this entity to be often overlooked. Given the acuity and risk factors involved, considering mucormycosis may be prudent during the assessment of hyperglycemic or immunodeficient patients exhibiting maxillofacial disease. When acquiring histories of presenting illness and performing physical examinations, assessment includes mindfulness of diabetes mellitus, craniofacial lesions, and alertness to clinical deterioration. Given the rising incidence of complicated diabetes mellitus in conjunction with a paucity of mucormycosis reports noting the orbit as the diagnostic harbinger, we report the case of a 59-year-old woman admitted to the critical care setting for diabetic ketoacidosis and altered mental status. Physical examination revealed a swollen orbit, later diagnosed as mucormycosis with associated sino-orbit involvement and cranial nerve deficits warranting urgent and extensive facial debridement.
PubMed: 38343486
DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2298183 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Feb 2024Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterized by retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, renal dysfunction,...
INTRODUCTION
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterized by retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, renal dysfunction, learning difficulties, and hypogonadism. In this case report, the authors present the clinical course and management of a patient with BBS who developed chronic kidney disease (CKD).
CASE PRESENTATION
An 18-year-old male presented to the emergency department with chief complaints of fever, cough, vomiting, and decreased urine output for 7 days. Parents complained that the child had a delay in development compared to other children of the same age group. On examination, the patient had tachypnea, periorbital and pedal edema, expiratory wheeze with bilateral basal crackles, polydactyly, central obesity, microtestes, and delayed developmental milestones. Ultrasonography revealed bilateral small kidneys with increased cortical echotexture and loss of corticomedullary differentiation. Based on clinical features, the patient was diagnosed with CKD in the background of BBS. Hemodialysis was initiated after the diagnosis.
DISCUSSION
The management of CKD in the background of BBS poses unique challenges due to the complex multisystem involvement of this genetic disorder. There should be early reorganization and management of this condition so that the patient can have a better quality of life. Moreover, in developing countries like Nepal, genetic testing and diagnosis should be made easily accessible for better patient outcome.
CONCLUSION
Multidisciplinary approach involving nephrologists, ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, and geneticists is important to optimize the treatment and long-term management of Badet Biedel patients.
PubMed: 38333249
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001626 -
Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Feb 2024The incidence of penetrating orbital injuries from writing instruments continues to rise in the pediatric population. Such injuries can cause significant visual...
The incidence of penetrating orbital injuries from writing instruments continues to rise in the pediatric population. Such injuries can cause significant visual morbidity and have a lifelong psychosocial impact. While the description of graphite pencil-related orbital trauma management is well demonstrated with over 40 reported cases, a lack of consistent management protocol for colored pencil-related injuries. Here, we report an inadvertent penetrating orbital colored pencil injury with progressive mechanical ptosis and pre-septal cellulitis necessitating urgent orbitotomy, debridement, and washout to reduce inflammatory and infectious burden. The wooden body serves as a nidus for polymicrobial infection, and the unique composition of colored pencil cores may lead to inflammatory processes that require vigilant multidisciplinary surgical and medical management reflected in our literature review.
PubMed: 38323601
DOI: 10.1080/01676830.2024.2314054 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality among women. Hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative...
Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality among women. Hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer constitutes a considerable proportion of cases, and significant advancements have been made in its management. CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) are a new targeted therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in adjuvant, advanced and metastatic settings. The propensity of lobular breast carcinomas for estrogen-rich sites, such as periocular tissues and orbital fat, may explain their tendency for orbital metastases. Current treatment strategies for these cases are predominantly palliative, and the prognosis remains poor. This article presents a unique case of a 51-year-old female with progressive right periorbital edema, pain, and limited ocular motility. An imaging work-up showed bilateral intra and extraconal orbital infiltration, which was biopsied. The histopathologic analysis disclosed mild chronic inflammatory infiltrate with thickened fibrous tissue and moderately differentiated lobular carcinoma cells, positive for GATA3 and CK7 markers, with 100% of tumor nuclei expressing estrogen receptors (ER+). A systemic evaluation showed a multicentric nodular formation in both breasts. Further diagnostic assessments unveiled an HR+/HER2- bilateral lobular breast carcinoma with synchronous bilateral orbital metastases. Systemic treatment was initiated with abemaciclib 150mg twice daily and letrozole 2.5mg once a day. However, this regimen was interrupted due to toxicity. After two weeks, treatment was resumed with a reduced abemaciclib dose (100mg twice daily) alongside letrozole, with a reasonable tolerance. Nearly two years after the initial diagnosis of inoperable metastatic cancer, the patient remains on the same systemic treatment regimen with no signs of invasive disease. This case report is the first of a patient presenting with bilateral orbital metastases from bilateral lobular breast cancer, showing an impressive and sustained response to a first-line treatment regimen combining abemaciclib and letrozole. A literature review on bilateral orbital metastases from breast cancer is also presented.
PubMed: 38322413
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1286910 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Feb 2024VEXAS is a recently described acquired auto-inflammatory and hematologic syndrome caused by somatic mutations in UBA1. To date, VEXAS is not a recognized cause of...
OBJECTIVES
VEXAS is a recently described acquired auto-inflammatory and hematologic syndrome caused by somatic mutations in UBA1. To date, VEXAS is not a recognized cause of acquired immunodeficiency.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Two of our 10 VEXAS patients developed a disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection. To shed light on this observation, we retrospectively studied all patients with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMi) seen at our institution over 13 years. Inclusion criteria were a positive blood/bone marrow culture, or 2 positive cultures from distinct sites, or one positive culture with 2 involved sites.
RESULTS
patient 1 presented with fever, rash, orbital cellulitis and lung infiltrates. Patient 2 presented with fever and purpura. In both cases, Mycobacterium avium was identified on bone marrow culture. Twenty cases of disseminated NTMi were reviewed. Among 11 HIV-negative patients, three had chronic immune-mediated disease; three had untreated myeloid neoplasm; two had VEXAS; one had undergone kidney transplantation; one had GATA-2 deficiency; and one had no identified aetiology. None had lymphoid neoplasia or had undergone bone marrow transplantation. HIV-negative cases had higher CD4 counts than HIV-positive patients (median CD4: 515/mm3 vs 38/mm3, p< 0.001). Monocytopenia was present in seven cases. At 2 years, six patients had died, including both VEXAS patients.
DISCUSSION
VEXAS patients have an intrinsic susceptibility to disseminated NTMi, which may result from monocytic dysfunction. NTMi can mimic VEXAS flare. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion for opportunistic infections before escalating immunosuppressive therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm and better decipher the herein reported observations.
PubMed: 38317027
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae087 -
BMC Research Notes Feb 2024Ocular issues such as impaired vision, ophthalmia, orbital cellulitis, and blindness are not common with dental infections. However, there is absence of set guidelines... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ocular issues such as impaired vision, ophthalmia, orbital cellulitis, and blindness are not common with dental infections. However, there is absence of set guidelines in prevention and management of ocular issues arising from dental infections. Hence the knowledge and vantage point of the dentists with respect to ocular complications arising from dental infections was evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
This study reviews the knowledge of dentists with association of eye infection due to dental contamination.
METHOD
A cross sectional survey using standardized questionnaires were sent suing social media platform among the academicians and practicing dental clinicians. All the questionnaires were content validated by three ophthalmologists. Descriptive statistics was scrutinized and tabulated by employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL). Chi square tests was used.
RESULTS
About 69.1%(65) and 30.9%( 29) of BDS and MDS grduates have experienced ocular complications because of dental contamination. This distribution showed no statistical significance (p = 0.25). 73.8% (183) and 28.2%( 65) had compliance with the eye protection, 77.7% (160) of BDS graduates and 22.3% (46) of MDS graduates preferred safety eye wear. This distribution showed statistical significance (p = 0.00). About 76.2% (279) of BDS graduates and 23.8%( 67) of MDS graduates faced ocular infections because of different types of splashes which included water, blood and saliva. (p = 0.23) CONCLUSION: This study puts an emphasis on the knowledge assessment among the dental practitioners on the importance of preventive barriers, and how special protective gear is required for doing cases undergoing dental treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Eye Infections; India; Professional Role; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38303033
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06656-w -
Facial Plastic Surgery : FPS Mar 2024Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries and is commonly associated with postoperative edema, ecchymosis, and pain which play a role in patients'...
Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries and is commonly associated with postoperative edema, ecchymosis, and pain which play a role in patients' dissatisfaction. In this randomized comparative study, we discuss the effect of cannula drainage in the reduction of postoperative periorbital edema, ecchymosis, pain, and nasal obstruction after open structural septorhinoplasty. The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center from April to November 2022. We performed internal lateral osteotomy on all patients using the lateral saw and aided by lateral osteotome. At the end of the procedure, a cannula drain is prepared and inserted in the subperiosteal tunnel on the left side only. Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days for periorbital edema, ecchymosis, pain, and nasal obstruction, and each side is scored separately. A total of 40 patients (80 sides in total) were recruited, 22 females (55%) and 18 males (45%), all of whom were adults (18-44 years old; mean age 29 years). The most frequent age group is those younger than 20 years representing 35% of the sample and the males forming 33.3%. The reduction in edema and pain was statistically significant in the drained sides ( = 0.000) during all the postoperative days. On the other hand, ecchymosis was lower on the drained side but statistically insignificant ( = > 0.29). Nasal obstruction was reduced significantly only on the seventh postoperative day ( = 0.000). The postoperative morbidities associated with rhinoplasty could have important functional and psychological effects on patients. This study demonstrates that inserting a cannula in the subperiosteal tunnel for drainage in rhinoplasty yields a significant clinical and statistical decrease in postoperative periorbital edema and pain with little effect on ecchymosis and nasal obstruction.
PubMed: 38267000
DOI: 10.1055/a-2253-5971