scholarly journals MP23: The yield of computed tomography of the head in patients presenting with syncope: a systematic review

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S72-S73
Author(s):  
J.A. Viau ◽  
H. Chaudry ◽  
A. Hannigan ◽  
M. Boutet ◽  
M.A. Mukarram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Observer Agreement ◽  
Acute Management ◽  
Head Ct ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Ct Head

Introduction: Syncope accounts for 1-3% of Emergency Department (ED) visits. Previous studies have reported overuse of computed tomography (CT) of the head among syncope patients. Professional organizations including Choosing Wisely have recommended against its use in the absence of high-risk features. However, a review of CT head use among syncope patients and its diagnostic yield has not been previously reported. Methods: We conducted a systematic review using EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane databases from inception to August 2016. We included studies involving adult syncope patients that reported CT head use and its diagnostic yield during acute management by a two-step process: first title/abstract review and then full-text review of selected articles. We excluded case reports, narrative reviews and those involving children. We collected the proportion of patients who had CT head performed, and its diagnostic yield. Outcomes included identification of acute intracranial conditions (hemorrhage, mass or infarct) that require further management. Two reviewers independently abstracted the data and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. We calculated inter-observer reliability for inclusion in the systematic review using kappa values. We performed meta-analysis for diagnostic yield of the CT head. Results: Fifteen studies with 2,802 syncope patients in four sub-groups (proportion of patients among whom CT head was performed and its yield in ED and inpatient settings; studies that reported only the yield among those with CT head performed; and the use and yield among syncope patients ≥65 years old) were included. The inter-observer agreement for inclusion of final articles for meta-analysis was κ=0.925 [95% CI: 0.861-0.990]. Seven ED studies (n=1,261) reported 55.7% patients (95% CI: 32.1-78.0%) had head CT performed with a yield of 4.0% (95% CI: 2.7-5.6%); 5 studies with 1138 hospitalized patients reported that 38.6% (95% CI: 20.4-58.6%) had head CT with a yield of 1.1% (95% CI: 0.4-2.2%). The yield among studies that report only outcomes for CT head was 2.3% and the yield among patients’ ≥65 years was 7.7%. Conclusion: Our review found that a very high proportion of syncope patients had CT head performed during acute management with a very low diagnostic yield. The yield is higher among patients ≥65 years old. A robust tool to identify patients who require a CT head will reduce unnecessary testing.

Mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric stroke: systematic review, individual patient data meta-analysis, and case series

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 558-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kartik Bhatia ◽  
Hans Kortman ◽  
Christopher Blair ◽  
Geoffrey Parker ◽  
David Brunacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Neurological Outcomes

OBJECTIVEThe role of mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric acute ischemic stroke is uncertain, despite extensive evidence of benefit in adults. The existing literature consists of several recent small single-arm cohort studies, as well as multiple prior small case series and case reports. Published reports of pediatric cases have increased markedly since 2015, after the publication of the positive trials in adults. The recent AHA/ASA Scientific Statement on this issue was informed predominantly by pre-2015 case reports and identified several knowledge gaps, including how young a child may undergo thrombectomy. A repeat systematic review and meta-analysis is warranted to help guide therapeutic decisions and address gaps in knowledge.METHODSUsing PRISMA-IPD guidelines, the authors performed a systematic review of the literature from 1999 to April 2019 and individual patient data meta-analysis, with 2 independent reviewers. An additional series of 3 cases in adolescent males from one of the authors’ centers was also included. The primary outcomes were the rate of good long-term (mRS score 0–2 at final follow-up) and short-term (reduction in NIHSS score by ≥ 8 points or NIHSS score 0–1 at up to 24 hours post-thrombectomy) neurological outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in patients < 18 years of age. The secondary outcome was the rate of successful angiographic recanalization (mTICI score 2b/3).RESULTSThe authors’ review yielded 113 cases of mechanical thrombectomy in 110 pediatric patients. Although complete follow-up data are not available for all patients, 87 of 96 (90.6%) had good long-term neurological outcomes (mRS score 0–2), 55 of 79 (69.6%) had good short-term neurological outcomes, and 86 of 98 (87.8%) had successful angiographic recanalization (mTICI score 2b/3). Death occurred in 2 patients and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 1 patient. Sixteen published thrombectomy cases were identified in children < 5 years of age.CONCLUSIONSMechanical thrombectomy may be considered for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (ICA terminus, M1, basilar artery) in patients aged 1–18 years (Level C evidence; Class IIb recommendation). The existing evidence base is likely affected by selection and publication bias. A prospective multinational registry is recommended as the next investigative step.

scholarly journals Risk of colectomy after conservative treatment of diverticulitis of the left hemicolon complicated by abdominal or pelvic abscess: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042350
Author(s):  
Maximilian Sohn ◽  
Ayman Agha ◽  
Igors Iesalnieks ◽  
Anna Tiefes ◽  
Alfred Hochrein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emergency Surgery ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Acute Diverticulitis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Pelvic Abscess ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Review Manager

IntroductionAcute diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon is increasingly treated by a non-operative approach. The need for colectomy after recovery from a flare of acute diverticulitis of the left colon, complicated diverticular abscess is still controversial. The primary aim of this study is to assess the risk of interval emergency surgery by systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods and analysisThe systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols statement. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE will be screened for the predefined searching term: (Diverticulitis OR Diverticulum) AND (Abscess OR pelvic abscess OR pericolic abscess OR intraabdominal abscess) AND (surgery OR operation OR sigmoidectomy OR drainage OR percutaneous drainage OR conservative therapy OR watchful waiting). All studies published in an English or German-speaking peer-reviewed journal will be suitable for this analysis. Case reports, case series of less than five patients, studies without follow-up information, systematic and non-systematic reviews and meta-analyses will be excluded. Primary endpoint is the rate of interval emergency surgery. Using the Review Manager Software (Review Manager/RevMan, V.5.3, Copenhagen, The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2012) meta-analysis will be pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method for random effects. The Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool will be used to assess methodological quality of non-randomised studies. Risk of bias in randomised studies will be assessed using the Cochrane developed RoB 2-tool.Ethics and disseminationAs no new data are being collected, ethical approval is exempt for this study. This systematic review is to provide a new insight on the need for surgical treatment after a first attack of acute diverticulitis, complicated by intra-abdominal or pelvic abscesses. The results of this study will be presented at national and international meetings and published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020164813.

scholarly journals Complications of Outpatient and Inpatient Renal Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
Shih-Yi Lin ◽  
Cherry Yin-Yi Chang ◽  
Cheng-Chieh Lin ◽  
Wu-Huei Hsu ◽  
I.-Wen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Renal Biopsy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Renal Biopsies ◽  
Inpatient Settings

Background: The evidence indicates that the optimal observation period following renal biopsy ranges between 6 and 8 h. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored whether differences exist in the complication rates of renal biopsies performed in outpatient and inpatient settings. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1985 to February 2020. Two reviewers independently selected studies evaluating the bleeding risk from renal biopsies performed in outpatient and inpatient settings and reviewed their full texts. The primary and secondary outcomes were risks of bleeding and major events (including mortality) following the procedure, respectively. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the original study design (i.e., prospective or retrospective). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effect meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Results: Data from all 10 eligible studies, which included a total of 1801 patients and 203 bleeding events, were included for analysis. Renal biopsies in outpatient settings were not associated with a higher bleeding risk than those in inpatient settings (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.59–1.11; I2 = 0%). The risk of major events was also comparable across both groups (OR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.16–1.29; I2 = 4%). Conclusions: Similar rates of bleeding and major events following renal biopsy in outpatient and inpatient settings were observed.

scholarly journals The toxic effects of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on skeletal muscle: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Cristina Biguetti ◽  
Joel Ferreira Santiago Junior ◽  
Matthew William Fiedler ◽  
Mauro Toledo Marrelli ◽  
Marco Brotto
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Skeletal Muscles ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

AbstractThe aim of this systematic review was to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis on the toxic effects of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on skeletal muscles. We designed the study according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies for qualitative and quantitative analyses were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: English language; size of sample (> 5 patients), adult (> age of 18) patients, treated with CQ/HCQ for inflammatory diseases, and presenting and not presenting with toxic effects on skeletal muscles. We collected data published from 1990 to April 2020 using PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and SciELO. Risk of bias for observational studies was assessed regarding the ROBIN-I scale. Studies with less than five patients (case reports) were selected for an additional qualitative analysis. We used the software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis at the confidence level of 0.05. We identified 23 studies for qualitative analysis (17 case-reports), and five studies were eligible for quantitative analysis. From case reports, 21 patients presented muscle weakness and confirmatory biopsy for CQ/HCQ induced myopathy. From observational studies, 37 patients out of 1,367 patients from five studies presented muscle weakness related to the use of CQ/HCQ, and 252 patients presented elevated levels of muscle enzymes (aldolase, creatine phosphokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase). Four studies presented data on 34 patients with confirmatory biopsy for drug-induced myopathy. No study presented randomized samples. The chronic use of CQ/HCQ may be a risk for drug-induced myopathy. There is substantiated need for proper randomized trials and controlled prospective studies needed to assess the clinical and subclinical stages of CQ/HCQ -induced muscle myopathy.

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