Mucormycosis in burns: a review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Littlehales ◽  
Rebecca Teague ◽  
Dale Andrew ◽  
Emily Yassaie
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Frozen Section ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Medical Mycology ◽  
Lipid Complex ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
Radical Debridement

Abstract Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with a high mortality rate. It presents with scattered black/necrotic ulcers, white fungal elements, and progression of wounds despite seemingly adequate debridement. Diagnosis is confirmed on wound histology, however this is often delayed. There is currently no comprehensive review of burn related mucormycosis within the literature, making this the first paper to provide evidence-based treatment guidance. We performed a review of publications from 1946 - present. There were 151 cases of mucormycosis complicating burns. The mortality rate was 54.5%, and there was a significant increase in mortality with axial body site involvement compared with isolated peripheral involvement. The standard treatment was prompt and radical debridement. Utilisation of frozen section to guide debridement aided in clinical decision making. No systemic treatment reached statistical significance, however amphotericin B trended towards significance. Although there is no strong evidence for topical amphotericin B or hyperbaric oxygen, there may be benefit in some cases. This study recommends early radical debridement in conjunction with the European Confederation of Medical Mycology guidelines of IV liposomal/lipid complex amphotericin B >5mg/kg/day, with posaconazole 800mg daily in divided doses as a salvage or oral step-down 1.

Prediction of benefit from treatment beyond the first line in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e11565-e11565
Author(s):  
Marta Bonotto ◽  
Lorenzo Gerratana ◽  
Alessandro Minisini ◽  
Elena Poletto ◽  
Stefania Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
First Line ◽  
Her2 Positive ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
The Impact

e11565 Background: Despite the availability of several therapeutic options for MBC, palliative treatments beyond 1st line lack of predictive factors that could help clinical decision making. We aimed to determine which is the impact of benefit at 1stline into the benefit from subsequent therapeutic lines. Methods: We analyzed a consecutive series of 472 MBC patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) and/or endocrine therapy (ET) at the Department of Oncology of Udine, Italy, between 2004 and 2012. We evaluated Progression Free Survival at 1st (PFS1), 2nd (PFS2), 3rd (PFS3) and 4th (PFS4) line of treatment. Three distinct analyses were conducted: the first for the lines of CT, the second for the lines of ET and the third by considering both CT and ET as a line of treatment. A PFS longer than 6 months was defined as “6-month benefit". Results: Median Overall Survival was 34.5 mo (25th – 75th percentile: 14.5 – 58.8), median overall PFS1 and PFS2 was 8.9 mo and 4.3 mo respectively. Median PFS1 and PFS2 in CT lines only was 7 mo and 3.7 mo, respectively. Median PFS1 and PFS2 in ET lines only was 9.4 mo and 4.6 mo respectively. Overall, 289 patients (63.5%) presented 6-month benefit at 1st line, 128 (40.5%) at 2nd, 76 (33.8%) at 3rd and 34 (23.3%) at 4th. Not having a 6-month benefit in overall PFS1 was associated with a lack of benefit both at 2nd line (OR=0.48; p=0.0026) and at any line beyond the 1st (OR=0.39; p< 0.0001). Taking into consideration CT lines only, not having a 6-month benefit in CT PFS1 was associated with a lack of benefit both at 2nd line (OR=0.45; p=0.0072) and at any line beyond the 1st (OR=0.43; p=0.0026). A lack of benefit at the 1st ET line was not associated with further ET outcome neither in 2nd line nor in any line beyond the 1st. Stratification according to immunophenotype highlighted a statistical significance only among HER2 positive tumors (OR=0.2; p=0.0152 in 2nd line and OR=0.14; p=0.0036 beyond 1st line). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the absence of a “6-month benefit” in PFS1 predicts a lack of benefit in subsequent therapy lines, especially in HER2 positive disease. However, a lack of benefit at first line ET appears not to be detrimental to further anti-hormonal lines.

scholarly journals Comparison of analogue and electronic stethoscopes for pulmonary auscultation by internal medicine residents

2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (1118) ◽  
pp. 700-703
Author(s):  
Eric R. Gottlieb ◽  
Jason M. Aliotta ◽  
Dominick Tammaro
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Internal Medicine Resident ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
P Value ◽  
Lung Sounds ◽  
Electronic Stethoscope ◽  
Medicine Resident ◽  
Internal Medicine Residents

BackgroundElectronic stethoscopes are becoming more common in clinical practice. They may improve the accuracy and efficiency of pulmonary auscultation, but the data to support their benefit are limited.ObjectiveTo determine how auscultation with an electronic stethoscope may affect clinical decision making.MethodsAn online module consisting of six fictional ambulatory cases was developed. Each case included a brief history and lung sounds recorded with an analogue and electronic stethoscope. Internal medicine resident participants were randomly selected to hear either the analogue or electronic lung sounds. Numbers of correct answers, time spent on each case and numbers of times the recordings were played were compared between the groups who heard each mode of auscultation, with a p value of less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.Results61 internal medicine residents completed at least one case, and 41 residents completed all six cases. There were no significant differences in overall scores between participants who heard analogue and electronic lung sounds (3.14±0.10 out of 6 correct for analogue, 3.20±0.10 out of 6 for electronic, p=0.74). There were no significant differences in performance for any of the six cases (p=0.78), time spent on the cases (p=0.67) or numbers of times the recordings were played (p=0.85).ConclusionWhen lung sounds were amplified with an electronic stethoscope, we did not detect an effect on performance, time spent on the cases or numbers of times participants listened to the recordings.

Influence of ethnicity on biochemical markers of health and disease in the CALIPER cohort of healthy children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houman Tahmasebi ◽  
Shervin Asgari ◽  
Alexandra Hall ◽  
Victoria Higgins ◽  
Ashfia Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Pediatric Study

AbstractBackgroundAccurate pediatric reference intervals (RIs) for laboratory tests determined in a healthy pediatric population are essential for correct laboratory test interpretation and clinical decision-making. In pediatrics, RIs require partitioning by age and/or sex; however, the need for partitioning based on ethnicity is unclear. Here, we assessed the influence of ethnicity on biomarker concentrations in the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) cohort of healthy children and adolescents and compared the results with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsA total of 52 biomarkers were measured in a multiethnic population of 846–1179 healthy children (aged 5 to <19 years) upon informed consent. Biomarker concentrations were retrospectively compared between four major ethnic groups (i.e. Black, Caucasian, East Asian, and South Asian, determined by parental ethnicity). Retrospective results were verified prospectively using an additional 500 healthy pediatric samples with equal sample size across ethnicities. Ethnic-specific differences were assessed based on statistical significance and biological and analytical variations. Appropriate age-, sex-, and ethnic-specific RIs were calculated.ResultsEthnic-specific differences were not observed for 34 biomarkers examined in the retrospective analysis, while 18 demonstrated statistically significant ethnic differences. Among these, seven analytes demonstrated ethnic-specific differences in the prospective analysis: vitamin D, amylase, ferritin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Analysis of select NHANES data confirmed CALIPER findings.ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive Canadian pediatric study examining ethnic-specific differences in common biomarkers. While the majority of biomarkers did not require ethnic partitioning, ethnic-specific RIs were established for seven biomarkers showing marked differences. Further studies in other populations are needed to confirm our findings.

scholarly journals Meta-Analysis of Functional Outcomes in 5508 Patients Sustaining a Gunshot Wound to the Head

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Maragkos ◽  
Efstathios Papavassiliou ◽  
Martina Stippler ◽  
Aristotelis Filippidis
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Gunshot Wounds ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Pupillary Response ◽  
Random Effects Models

Abstract INTRODUCTION There is currently no consensus regarding prognosis and management for gunshot wounds to the head (GSWH). To the author’' knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to study functional outcomes in GSWH. METHODS Five online databases and the reference lists of relevant articles were queried for cohort studies of GSWH reporting factors associated with functional outcome. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) outcomes were divided into unfavorable (GOS 1-3) and favorable (GOS 4-5). Pooled estimates of odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were derived using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed with I-square and meta-regression. Funnel-plots were utilized to assess publication bias. RESULTS We identified 35 retrospective cohort studies encompassing 5508 GSWH patients. Out of the factors assessed, the ones significantly associated with unfavorable functional outcome were: postresuscitation GCS 3 to 8 (Odds Ratio 33.2, 95% Confidence Interval [10.1-108.6]), suicide attempt (3.6 [1.7-7.8]), penetration of the dura (10.3 [1.8-60.5]), bullet trajectory through both hemispheres (8.3 [4.1-17.2]), through the ventricles (8.8 [1.6-48.8]), and through multiple lobes (8.6 [2.2-33.5]). No statistical significance was found for unfavorable functional outcome regarding patient age, sex, pupillary response, and the existence of an exit wound. CONCLUSION This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis regarding prognostic factors for neurologic outcomes in patients sustaining GSWH. Such factors can inform clinical decision-making and assist in setting patient and physician expectations in the acute setting. Further research is required to properly incorporate this information into management guidelines.

scholarly journals 890 Predictive Factors for Mortality Following Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery in The Covid-19 Pandemic. The Manchester Equation

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Waugh ◽  
N Jain ◽  
A Bhutta ◽  
T Havenhand ◽  
M Qureshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Surgical Mortality

Abstract Introduction Covid-19 caused many service changes including limitations on operations due to potential increased mortality risk to patients. We report our findings from Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) surgical mortality through this period and the effectiveness of using a scoring system (The Manchester Equation) to predict likelihood of mortality. Method We reviewed all T&O admissions that underwent surgical intervention during the height of the pandemic. We recorded numerous factors for each patient including mortality and Covid status. From this we created a scoring system which is the product of Covid status, Anaesthetic type, Medical co-morbidities and other medical factors and ASA Score. We then analysed the findings to determine whether the score could be predictive of mortality rate. Results Of 123 patients undergoing surgery 6 deaths were observed (mean score of 51.3) compared to 117 patients surviving (mean score 31.9), p = 0.001. A score of less than 32 carried a 0% chance of death whereas a score of 32 or more resulted in a 14.6% mortality rate (p = 0.01). Conclusion The Manchester Equation can be used to help predict the mortality rate of T&O surgery in the presence of Covid-19 and may be useful for clinical decision making and consent purposes.

scholarly journals Meta-analyses in paediatric surgery are often fragile: implications and consequences

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-367
Author(s):  
Arne Schröder ◽  
Oliver J. Muensterer ◽  
Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Fragility Index ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Surgical Condition

Abstract Purpose Meta-analyses occupy the highest level of evidence and thereby guide clinical decision-making. Recently, randomised-controlled trials were evaluated for the robustness of their findings by calculating the fragility index. The fragility index is the number of events that needs to be added to one treatment arm until the statistical significance collapses. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the robustness of paediatric surgical meta-analyses. Methods We searched MEDLINE for paediatric surgical meta-analyses in the last decade. All meta-analyses on a paediatric surgical condition were eligible for analysis if they based their conclusion on a statistically significant meta-analysis. Results We screened 303 records and conducted a full-text evaluation of 60 manuscripts. Of them, 39 were included in our analysis that conducted 79 individual meta-analyses with significant results. Median fragility index was 5 (Q25–Q75% 2–11). Median fragility in relation to included patients was 0.77% (Q25–Q75% 0.29–1.87%). Conclusion Paediatric surgical meta-analyses are often fragile. In almost 60% of results, the statistical significance depends on less than 1% of the included population. However, as the fragility index is just a transformation of the P value, it basically conveys the same information in a different format. It therefore should be avoided.

scholarly journals 1018 Implementing A Standardised Orthopaedic Admission Pro-Forma to Improve Adherence to The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng) Best Practice Clerking Guidelines

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Peacock ◽  
D North ◽  
T Brookes
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Orthopaedic Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pro Forma

Abstract Introduction Within our Trust, Orthopaedic patients are clerked in on A&E notes via freehand text. Audit, clinical incidents, and root cause analysis revealed suboptimal documentation. Using RCSEng Best Practice Guidelines we designed, implemented, and evaluated the impact of an admission pro-forma on quality of clerking. Method An Orthopaedic clerking pro-forma was designed based on standards set by RCSEng and feedback from Orthopaedic colleagues. First- and second-cycle data collection involving quantitative analysis of clerking against RCSEng domains was conducted before (n = 23) and after (n = 25) intervention. Fisher’s exact test was performed to calculate the statistical significance of our data. A qualitative survey was performed to gain feedback on the pro-forma. Results Observations, allergies, and smoking history were omitted in over half of freehand documentations. Medical/surgical history and management plans were well documented regardless. Intervention resulted in statistically significant increases in 7 out of 12 RCSEng clerking domains, most notably allergies (p &lt; 0.00001). Qualitative feedback was positive; 100% of those surveyed stated that the pro-forma ‘improved quality of clerking‘ and ‘benefited clinical decision making’. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that implementing an Orthopaedic pro-forma improved adherence to RCSEng best practice clerking guidelines compared to freehand documentation and standardised the process improving the level and quality of documentation.

Assessment of Clinical Decision-Making in Evidence-Based Treatment for Child Anxiety and Related and Disorders

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey L. Carpenter ◽  
Donna B. Pincus ◽  
Phoebe H. Conklin ◽  
Christopher M. Wyszynski ◽  
Brian C. Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment

scholarly journals EQUAL Cryptococcus Score 2018: A European Confederation of Medical Mycology Score Derived From Current Guidelines to Measure QUALity of Clinical Cryptococcosis Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrej Spec ◽  
Carlos Mejia-Chew ◽  
William G Powderly ◽  
Oliver A Cornely
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Mycology ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Current Guidelines

Abstract Cryptococcocis is an opportunistic fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality. Guidelines to aid clinicians regarding diagnosis, management, and treatment can be extensive and challenging to comply with. There is no tool to measure guideline adherence. To create such a tool, we reviewed current guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the World Health Organization, the American Society of Transplantation, and recent significant publications to select the strongest recommendations as vital components of our scoring tool. Items included diagnostic tests (blood, tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid cultures, Cryptococcus antigen, India ink, histopathology with special fungal stains, central nervous system imaging), pharmacological (amphotericin B, flucytosine, azoles) and nonpharmacological treatments (intracranial pressure management, immunomodulation, infectious disease consultation), and follow-up of central nervous system complications. The EQUAL Cryptococcus Score 2018 weighs and aggregates the recommendations for the optimal management of cryptococcosis. Providing a tool that could measure guideline adherence or facilitate clinical decision-making.

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