Clinical and prognostic significance of emergency MRI findings in neck infections

Abstract Objectives Due to its superior soft-tissue contrast and ability to delineate abscesses, MRI has high diagnostic accuracy in neck infections. Whether MRI findings can predict the clinical course in these patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and prognostic significance of various MRI findings in emergency patients with acute neck infections. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed the 3-T MRI findings of 371 patients with acute neck infections from a 5-year period in a single tertiary emergency radiology department. We correlated various MRI findings, including retropharyngeal (RPE) and mediastinal edema (ME) and abscess diameter, to clinical findings and outcomes, such as the need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results A total of 201 out of 371 patients (54%) with neck infections showed evidence of RPE, and 81 out of 314 patients (26%) had ME. Both RPE (OR = 9.5, p < 0.001) and ME (OR = 5.3, p < 0.001) were more prevalent among the patients who required ICU treatment than among those who did not. In a multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, RPE, and maximal abscess diameter were independent predictors of the need for ICU treatment, and CRP, ME, and maximal abscess diameter were independent predictors of LOS. Conclusion In patients with an acute neck infection that requires emergency imaging, RPE, ME, and abscess diameter, as shown by MRI, are significant predictors of a more severe illness. Key Points • Two hundred one out of 371 patients (54%) with neck infection showed evidence of retropharyngeal edema (RPE), and 81 out of 314 patients (26%) had mediastinal edema (ME). • Maximal abscess diameter, RPE, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were independent predictors of the need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, and maximal abscess diameter, ME, and CRP were independent predictors of length of hospital stay. • Prognostic significance of MRI findings was evident also while controlling for CRP values.

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Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Diabetes Admitted for COVID-19 Treatment in Dubai: Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/22471 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. e22471

Author(s):

Rahila Bhatti ◽

Amar Hassan Khamis ◽

Samara Khatib ◽

Seemin Shiraz ◽

Glenn Matfin

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

D Dimer

Background Recent studies have shown that diabetes is a major risk factor that contributes to the severity of COVID-19 and resulting mortality. Poor glycemic control is also associated with poor patient outcomes (eg, hospitalization and death). Objective This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with diabetes who were admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 treatment. Methods This cross-sectional, observational study comprised patients with diabetes admitted with COVID-19 to Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from March 30 to June 7, 2020. We studied the differences among characteristics, length of hospital stay, diabetes status, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes among these patients. Results Of the cohort patients, 25.1% (103/410) had coexistent diabetes or prediabetes. These patients represented 17 different ethnicities, with 59.2% (61/103) from Asian countries and 35% (36/103) from Arab countries. Mean patient age was 54 (SD 12.5) years, and 66.9% (69/103) of patients were male. Moreover, 85.4% (88/103) of patients were known to have diabetes prior to admission, and 14.6% (15/103) were newly diagnosed with either diabetes or prediabetes at admission. Most cohort patients had type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, and only 2.9% (3/103) of all patients had type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, 44.6% (46/103) of patients demonstrated evidence suggesting good glycemic control during the 4-12 weeks prior to admission, as defined arbitrarily by admission hemoglobin A1c level <7.5%, and 73.8% (76/103) of patients had other comorbidities, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and dyslipidemia. Laboratory data (mean and SD values) at admission for patients who needed ward-based care versus those who needed intensive care were as follows: fibrinogen, 462.8 (SD 125.1) mg/dL vs 660.0 (SD 187.6) mg/dL; D-dimer, 0.7 (SD 0.5) µg/mL vs 2.3 (SD 3.5) µg/mL; ferritin, 358.0 (SD 442.0) mg/dL vs 1762.4 (SD 2586.4) mg/dL; and C-reactive protein, 33.9 (SD 38.6) mg/L vs 137.0 (SD 111.7) mg/L. Laboratory data were all significantly higher for patients in the intensive care unit subcohort (P<.05). The average length of hospital stay was 14.55 days for all patients, with 28.2% (29/103) of patients requiring intensive care. In all, 4.9% (5/103) died during hospitalization—all of whom were in the intensive care unit. Conclusions Majority of patients with diabetes or prediabetes and COVID-19 had other notable comorbidities. Only 4 patients tested negative for COVID-19 RT-PCR but showed pathognomonic changes of COVID-19 radiologically. Laboratory analyses revealed distinct abnormal patterns of biomarkers that were associated with a poor prognosis: fibrinogen, D-dimer, ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels were all significantly higher at admission in patients who subsequently needed intensive care than in those who needed ward-based care. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to compare data of COVID-19 patients admitted with and without diabetes within the UAE region.

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Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Diabetes Admitted for COVID-19 Treatment in Dubai: Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22471 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rahila Bhatti ◽

Amar Hassan Khamis ◽

Samara Khatib ◽

Seemin Shiraz ◽

Glenn Matfin

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

D Dimer

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that diabetes is a major risk factor that contributes to the severity of COVID-19 and resulting mortality. Poor glycemic control is also associated with poor patient outcomes (eg, hospitalization and death). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with diabetes who were admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 treatment. METHODS This cross-sectional, observational study comprised patients with diabetes admitted with COVID-19 to Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from March 30 to June 7, 2020. We studied the differences among characteristics, length of hospital stay, diabetes status, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes among these patients. RESULTS Of the cohort patients, 25.1% (103/410) had coexistent diabetes or prediabetes. These patients represented 17 different ethnicities, with 59.2% (61/103) from Asian countries and 35% (36/103) from Arab countries. Mean patient age was 54 (SD 12.5) years, and 66.9% (69/103) of patients were male. Moreover, 85.4% (88/103) of patients were known to have diabetes prior to admission, and 14.6% (15/103) were newly diagnosed with either diabetes or prediabetes at admission. Most cohort patients had type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, and only 2.9% (3/103) of all patients had type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, 44.6% (46/103) of patients demonstrated evidence suggesting good glycemic control during the 4-12 weeks prior to admission, as defined arbitrarily by admission hemoglobin A1<sub>c</sub> level <7.5%, and 73.8% (76/103) of patients had other comorbidities, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and dyslipidemia. Laboratory data (mean and SD values) at admission for patients who needed ward-based care versus those who needed intensive care were as follows: fibrinogen, 462.8 (SD 125.1) mg/dL vs 660.0 (SD 187.6) mg/dL; D-dimer, 0.7 (SD 0.5) µg/mL vs 2.3 (SD 3.5) µg/mL; ferritin, 358.0 (SD 442.0) mg/dL vs 1762.4 (SD 2586.4) mg/dL; and C-reactive protein, 33.9 (SD 38.6) mg/L vs 137.0 (SD 111.7) mg/L. Laboratory data were all significantly higher for patients in the intensive care unit subcohort (<i>P</i><.05). The average length of hospital stay was 14.55 days for all patients, with 28.2% (29/103) of patients requiring intensive care. In all, 4.9% (5/103) died during hospitalization—all of whom were in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS Majority of patients with diabetes or prediabetes and COVID-19 had other notable comorbidities. Only 4 patients tested negative for COVID-19 RT-PCR but showed pathognomonic changes of COVID-19 radiologically. Laboratory analyses revealed distinct abnormal patterns of biomarkers that were associated with a poor prognosis: fibrinogen, D-dimer, ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels were all significantly higher at admission in patients who subsequently needed intensive care than in those who needed ward-based care. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to compare data of COVID-19 patients admitted with and without diabetes within the UAE region.

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Early Serum Biomarkers for Intensive Care Unit Treatment within the First 24 Hours in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1716516 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Bender ◽

Tim Naumann ◽

Eberhard Uhl ◽

Marco Stein

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Serum Lactate ◽

Serum Biomarkers ◽

Inhospital Mortality ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Icu Treatment

Abstract Background The prognostic significance of serum biomarkers in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not well investigated concerning inhospital mortality (IHM) and cardiopulmonary events within the first 24 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The influence of troponin I (TNI) value and cortisol value (CV) on cardiopulmonary events within the first 24 hours of ICU treatment was reported in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, but not in ICH patients up to now. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of early serum biomarkers on IHM and TNI value and CV on cardiopulmonary events within the first 24 hours of ICU treatment. Patients and Methods A total of 329 patients with spontaneous ICH were retrospectively analyzed. Blood samples were taken on admission to measure serum biomarkers. The TNI value and CV were defined as biomarkers for cardiopulmonary stress. Demographic data, cardiopulmonary parameters, including norepinephrine application rate (NAR) in microgram per kilogram per minute and inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) within the first 24 hours, and treatment regime were analyzed concerning their impact on ICU treatment and in hospital outcome. Binary logistic analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors for IHM. Results Patients with initially nonelevated CVs required higher NAR (p = 0.01) and FiO2 (p = 0.046) within the first 24 hours of ICU treatment. Lower cholinesterase level (p = 0.004), higher NAR (p = 0.002), advanced age (p < 0.0001), larger ICH volume (p < 0.0001), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (p = 0.007) and hydrocephalus (p = 0.009), raised level of C-reactive protein (p = 0.024), serum lactate (p = 0.003), and blood glucose (p = 0.05) on admission were significantly associated with IHM. In a multivariate model, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.055; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026–1.085; p < 0.0001), ICH volume (OR: 1.016; CI: 1.008–1.025; p < 0.0001), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (OR: 0.680; CI: 0.605–0.764; p < 0.0001) on admission as well as requiring NAR (OR: 1.171; CI: 1.026–1.337; p = 0.02) and FiO2 (OR: 0.951; CI: 0.921–0.983, p = 0.003) within the first 24 hours were independent predictors of IHM. Conclusion Higher levels of C-reactive protein, serum lactate, blood glucose, and lower cholinesterase level on admission were significantly associated with IHM. Patients with initially nonelevated CVs required higher NAR and FiO2 within the first 24 hours of ICU treatment. Furthermore, requiring an NAR > 0.5 µg/kg/min or an FiO2 > 0.21 were identified as additional independent predictors for IHM. These results could be helpful to improve ICU treatment in ICH patients.

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C-reactive protein to predict intensive care unit readmission?

Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.1016/j.jcrc.2006.03.007 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 265-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Suzana M.A. Lobo

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Intensive Care Unit Readmission

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The role of IL-6 receptor inhibitor treatment in critical patient monitoring with COVID-19

10.22514/sv.2021.068 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Group 2 ◽

D Dimer

Objectives: The COVID-19 disease can manifest itself with acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, and septic shock in critically ill patients. There are opinions that there is a correlation between high IL-6 levels and disease severity. In our intensive care unit, we evaluated the changes in the laboratory data and radiological involvement severity of our patients who underwent tocilizumab treatment and examined the appropriate laboratory parameter in the treatment follow-up and its effect on survival. Methods: In the critical patient follow-up of COVID-19, 17 of the 23 patients treated with tocilizumab had a mortal course (Group 1) and the remaining 6 (Group 2) were. The C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-6, D-dimer, procalcitonin, albumin, and ferritin values, which were routinely screened in our clinic on the day of tocilizumab treatment and the 5th day after, were recorded. Both the change between the two groups and the change between days 1 and 5 were analyzed. Results: A total of 23 patients (55.35 ± 13.31 years) were included in the study. The computed tomography severity score assessed at the intensive care unit admission was statistically significantly higher in Group 2. The procalcitonin and lactate dehydrogenase values measured on day 5 after tocilizumab were significantly lower in Group 2. On the 5th day after treatment, the levels of C-reactive protein, ferritin, chest X-rays, IL-6 and D-dimer statistically significantly changed compared to the first day of the treatment. In correlation with the decrease in PCT as of the 5th day after tocilizumab administration, an increasing tendency was observed in 28-day survival. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tocilizumab treatment may positively contribute to the treatment by decreasing cytokine levels. PCT and LDH follow-up before and after treatment in critically ill patients who are receiving tocilizumab treatment can give an idea about survival.

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Usefulness of Early C-Reactive Protein Kinetics in Response and Prognostic Assessment in Infected Critically Ill Patients: An Observational Retrospective Study

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.12143 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (12) ◽

pp. 737

Author(s):

Marta Ayres Pereira ◽

Ana Lídia Rouxinol-Dias ◽

Tatiana Vieira ◽

José Artur Paiva

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Antibiotic Therapy ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Fast Response ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Protein Kinetics ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Prognostic Assessment ◽

One Year

Introduction: The ideal biomarker to assess response and prognostic assessment in the infected critically ill patient is still not available. The aims of our study were to analyze the association between early C-reactive protein kinetics and duration and appropriateness of antibiotic therapy and its usefulness in predicting mortality in infected critically ill patients.Material and Methods: We have carried out an observational retrospective study in a cohort of 60 patients with community-acquired pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia and bacteremia at an intensive care unit. We have collected C-reactive protein consecutive serum levels for eight days as well as duration and appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy. C-reactive protein kinetic groups were defined based on the levels at days 0, 4 and 7. With a follow-up of one year, we have evaluated mortality at different time-points.Results: We have obtained three different C-reactive protein kinetic groups from the sample: fast response, delayed but fast response and delayed and slow response. We did not find statistically significant associations between C-reactive protein kinetics and early (intensive care unit, hospital and 28-days) or late (six months and one year) mortality and antibiotic therapy duration (p > 0.05). Although there were no statistically significant differences between the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy and the defined groups (p = 0.265), no patient with inappropriate antibiotic therapy presented a fast response pattern.Discussion: Several studies suggest the importance of this protein in infection.Conclusion: Early C-reactive protein kinetics is not associated with response and prognostic assessment in infected critically ill patients. Nevertheless, a fast response pattern tends to exclude initial inappropriate antibiotic therapy.

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