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Respiratory Medicine Jan 2022Pleural effusion is a frequent complication of acute pulmonary infection and can affect its morbidity and mortality. The possible evolution of a parapneumonic pleural... (Review)
Review
Pleural effusion is a frequent complication of acute pulmonary infection and can affect its morbidity and mortality. The possible evolution of a parapneumonic pleural effusion includes 3 stages: exudative (simple accumulation of pleural fluid), fibropurulent (bacterial invasion of the pleural cavity), and organized stage (scar tissue formation). Such a progression is favored by inadequate treatment or imbalance between microbial virulence and immune defenses. Biochemical features of a fibrinopurulent collection include a low pH (<7.20), low glucose level (<60 mg/dl), and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). A parapneumonic effusion in the fibropurulent stage is usually defined "complicated" since antibiotic therapy alone is not enough for its resolution and an invasive procedure (pleural drainage or surgery) is required. Chest ultrasound is one of the most useful imaging tests to assess the presence of a complicated pleural effusion. Simple parapneumonic effusions are usually anechoic, whereas complicated effusions often have a complex appearance (non-anechoic, loculated, or septated). When simple chest tube placement fails and/or patients are not suitable for more invasive techniques (i.e. surgery), intra-pleural instillation of fibrinolytic/enzymatic therapy (IPET) might represent a valuable treatment option to obtain the lysis of fibrin septa. IPET can be used as either initial or subsequent therapy. Further studies are ongoing or are required to help fill some gaps on the optimal management of parapneumonic pleural effusion. These include the duration of antibiotic therapy, the risk/benefit ratio of medical thoracoscopy and surgery, and new intrapleural treatments such as antibiotic-eluting chest tubes and pleural irrigation with antiseptic agents.
Topics: Chest Tubes; Drainage; Exudates and Transudates; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Pleura; Pleural Effusion
PubMed: 34896966
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106706 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Jan 2018To assess the level of agreement between experts in distinguishing between septate and normal/arcuate uterus using their subjective judgment when reviewing the coronal... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
To assess the level of agreement between experts in distinguishing between septate and normal/arcuate uterus using their subjective judgment when reviewing the coronal view of the uterus from three-dimensional ultrasound. Another aim was to determine the interobserver reliability and diagnostic test accuracy of three measurements suggested by recent guidelines, using as reference standard the decision made most often by experts (Congenital Uterine Malformation by Experts (CUME)).
METHODS
Images of the coronal plane of the uterus from 100 women with suspected fundal internal indentation were anonymized and provided to 15 experts (five clinicians, five surgeons and five sonologists). They were instructed to indicate whether they believed the uterus to be normal/arcuate (defined as normal uterine morphology or not clinically relevant degree of distortion caused by internal indentation) or septate (clinically relevant degree of distortion caused by internal indentation). Two other observers independently measured indentation depth, indentation angle and indentation-to-wall-thickness (I:WT) ratio. The agreement between experts was assessed using kappa, the interobserver reliability was assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), the diagnostic test accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) and the best cut-off value was assessed using Youden's index, considering as the reference standard the choice made most often by the experts (CUME).
RESULTS
There was good agreement between all experts (kappa, 0.62). There were 18 septate and 82 normal/arcuate uteri according to CUME; European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)-European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) criteria (I:WT ratio > 50%) defined 80 septate and 20 normal/arcuate uteri, while American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) criteria defined five septate (depth > 15 mm and angle < 90°), 82 normal/arcuate (depth < 10 mm and angle > 90°) and 13 uteri that could not be classified (referred to as the gray-zone). The agreement between ESHRE-ESGE and CUME was 38% (kappa, 0.1); the agreement between ASRM criteria and CUME for septate was 87% (kappa, 0.39), and considering both septate and gray-zone as septate, the agreement was 98% (kappa, 0.93). Among the three measurements, the interobserver reproducibility of indentation depth (CCC, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99) was better than both indentation angle (CCC, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97) and I:WT ratio (CCC, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.94). The diagnostic test accuracy of these three measurements using CUME as reference standard was very good, with AUC between 0.96 and 1.00. The best cut-off values for these measurements to define septate uterus were: indentation depth ≥ 10 mm, indentation angle < 140° and I:WT ratio > 110% .
CONCLUSIONS
The suggested ESHRE-ESGE cut-off value overestimates the prevalence of septate uterus while that of ASRM underestimates this prevalence, leaving in the gray-zone most of the uteri that experts considered as septate. We recommend considering indentation depth ≥ 10 mm as septate, since the measurement is simple and reliable and this criterion is in agreement with expert opinion. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adult; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Reference Standards; Reproductive Medicine; Ultrasonography; Urogenital Abnormalities; Uterine Diseases; Uterus
PubMed: 29024135
DOI: 10.1002/uog.18923 -
Breathe (Sheffield, England) Dec 2023Malignant pleural disease represents a growing healthcare burden. Malignant pleural effusion affects approximately 1 million people globally per year, causes disabling... (Review)
Review
Malignant pleural disease represents a growing healthcare burden. Malignant pleural effusion affects approximately 1 million people globally per year, causes disabling breathlessness and indicates a shortened life expectancy. Timely diagnosis is imperative to relieve symptoms and optimise quality of life, and should give consideration to individual patient factors. This review aims to provide an overview of epidemiology, pathogenesis and suggested diagnostic pathways in malignant pleural disease, to outline management options for malignant pleural effusion and malignant pleural mesothelioma, highlighting the need for a holistic approach, and to discuss potential challenges including non-expandable lung and septated effusions.
PubMed: 38351947
DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0145-2023 -
Fertility and Sterility Sep 2021
Topics: Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Pregnancy; Uterus
PubMed: 34364675
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.06.063 -
Neurology India 2021Management of complex/multiloculated/septated hydrocephalus is challenging. Neuroendoscopy has been well-established when compared to multiple shunt placements in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Management of complex/multiloculated/septated hydrocephalus is challenging. Neuroendoscopy has been well-established when compared to multiple shunt placements in management of multiloculated hydrocephalus (MH). The main aim of neuroendoscopy is to convert multiple locules into a single locule and drain it by either third ventriculostomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to reduce the number of surgical procedures and improve the quality of life. Neuroendoscopy avoids multiple shunt placement and need for revision of shunt.
METHODS
Literature review regarding natural history, pathogenesis, classification and management of complex/uni/multiloculated hydrocephalus was extensively done and our minimal experience with these cases has been taken into consideration.
CONCLUSION
Neuroendoscopy when combined with frameless neuronavigation is reliable, accurate, and extremely useful in maintaining orientation and localizing the appropriate fenestration site in MH where anatomical landmarks are grossly distorted.
Topics: Humans; Hydrocephalus; Neuroendoscopy; Quality of Life; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; Ventriculostomy
PubMed: 35102987
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.332284 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... May 2020Septate-like junctions display characteristic ladder-like ultrastructure reminiscent of the invertebrate epithelial septate junctions and are present at the paranodes of... (Review)
Review
Septate-like junctions display characteristic ladder-like ultrastructure reminiscent of the invertebrate epithelial septate junctions and are present at the paranodes of myelinated axons. The paranodal junctions where the myelin loops attach to the axon at the borders of the node of Ranvier provide both a paracellular barrier to ion diffusion and a lateral fence along the axonal membrane. The septate-like junctions constrain the proper distribution of nodal Na channels and juxtaparanodal K channels, which are required for the safe propagation of the nerve influx and rapid saltatory conduction. The paranodal cell adhesion molecules have been identified as target antigens in peripheral demyelinating autoimmune diseases and the pathogenic mechanisms described. This review aims at presenting the recent knowledge on the molecular and structural organization of septate-like junctions, their formation and stabilization during development, and how they are involved in demyelinating diseases.
Topics: Animals; Axons; Cell Adhesion; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Humans; Intercellular Junctions; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Potassium Channels; Ranvier's Nodes; Vertebrates
PubMed: 32032590
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183211 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Apr 2021Does septum resection improve reproductive outcomes in women with a septate uterus? (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
STUDY QUESTION
Does septum resection improve reproductive outcomes in women with a septate uterus?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Hysteroscopic septum resection does not improve reproductive outcomes in women with a septate uterus.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
A septate uterus is a congenital uterine anomaly. Women with a septate uterus are at increased risk of subfertility, pregnancy loss and preterm birth. Hysteroscopic resection of a septum may improve the chance of a live birth in affected women, but this has never been evaluated in randomized clinical trials. We assessed whether septum resection improves reproductive outcomes in women with a septate uterus, wanting to become pregnant.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
We performed an international, multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial in 10 centres in The Netherlands, UK, USA and Iran between October 2010 and September 2018.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Women with a septate uterus and a history of subfertility, pregnancy loss or preterm birth were randomly allocated to septum resection or expectant management. The primary outcome was conception leading to live birth within 12 months after randomization, defined as the birth of a living foetus beyond 24 weeks of gestational age. We analysed the data on an intention-to-treat basis and calculated relative risks with 95% CI.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
We randomly assigned 80 women with a septate uterus to septum resection (n = 40) or expectant management (n = 40). We excluded one woman who underwent septum resection from the intention-to-treat analysis, because she withdrew informed consent for the study shortly after randomization. Live birth occurred in 12 of 39 women allocated to septum resection (31%) and in 14 of 40 women allocated to expectant management (35%) (relative risk (RR) 0.88 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.65)). There was one uterine perforation which occurred during surgery (1/39 = 2.6%).
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Although this was a major international trial, the sample size was still limited and recruitment took a long period. Since surgical techniques did not fundamentally change over time, we consider the latter of limited clinical significance.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The trial generated high-level evidence in addition to evidence from a recently published large cohort study. Both studies unequivocally do not reveal any improvements in reproductive outcomes, thereby questioning any rationale behind surgery.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
There was no study funding. M.H.E. reports a patent on a surgical endoscopic cutting device and process for the removal of tissue from a body cavity licensed to Medtronic, outside the scope of the submitted work. H.A.v.V. reports personal fees from Medtronic, outside the submitted work. B.W.J.M. reports grants from NHMRC, personal fees from ObsEva, personal fees from Merck Merck KGaA, personal fees from Guerbet, personal fees from iGenomix, outside the submitted work. M.G. reports several research and educational grants from Guerbet, Merck and Ferring (location VUMC) outside the scope of the submitted work. The remaining authors have nothing to declare.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Dutch trial registry: NTR 1676.
TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE
18 February 2009.
DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT
20 October 2010.
Topics: Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Iran; Netherlands; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Uterus; Watchful Waiting
PubMed: 33793794
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab037 -
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Nov 2022Although there is insufficient evidence supporting the link between septate uterus and infertility, there are many studies demonstrated the effect of spetal incision on...
Although there is insufficient evidence supporting the link between septate uterus and infertility, there are many studies demonstrated the effect of spetal incision on pregnancy in women diagnosed with septate uterus associated with infertility. Hysteroscopic metroplasty can significantly improve the reproductive performance of those with septate uterus. Some Müllerian malformations can be healed by surgery. The accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic approch are fundamental for successful treatment. Any attempt at surgical correction of uterine abnormalities must be aimed at preserving or improving reproductive function. Among congenital uterine anomalies, septate uterus is the most amenable to simple hysteroscopic treatment. The resection of the septum is performed as standard treatment worldwide.
Topics: Female; Humans; Septate Uterus
PubMed: 36481626
DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.220501