scholarly journals The Case for Early Antibiotic Commencement and Source Control in Paediatric Subdural Empyema: A Single-Centre Retrospective Case Series

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fahid Tariq Rasul ◽  
Aswin Chari ◽  
Mohammed Omar Iqbal ◽  
Geeth Silva ◽  
James Hatcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Subdural Empyema ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Causative Organism ◽  
Microbiological Diagnosis ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Repeat Surgery ◽  
Causative Microorganism

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Subdural empyema is a neurosurgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. There is a debate between the benefits and risks of starting early antibiotics prior to surgical drainage as this is purported to reduce the rate of microbiological diagnosis. Here, we describe our experience of treating this potentially life-threatening condition, advocating for the early commencement of antibiotics and importance of source control in its treatment. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Retrospective review of a prospectively collected electronic departmental database included all patients who were admitted to our unit with a diagnosis of subdural empyema over an 11-year period (2008–2018). Basic demographic data were collected. Further data pertaining to mode of presentation, surgical approach, causative organism, post-operative antibiotic regime, anti-seizure medications, length of hospital stay, further surgery, and neurological outcomes were extracted. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Thirty-six children underwent 44 operations for subdural empyema at our institution during the study period. Median age was 11.0 (range 0.2–15.8); 47.2% (17/36) were female. Over time, there was decreasing use of burr holes and increasing use of craniectomy as the index surgery. Using a combination of extended culture and polymerase chain reaction, a microbiological diagnosis was achieved in all 36 cases; the commonest causative microorganism was of the <i>Streptococcus anginosus</i> group of bacteria. Seven patients underwent repeat surgery, and 4 patients underwent a concurrent ENT procedure. No risk factors were significant in predicting the likelihood of re-operation (location of subdural empyema, age, index surgery type, inflammatory markers, concurrent ENT procedure, and microorganism) although it was notable that none of the patients undergoing a concurrent ENT procedure underwent repeat surgery (<i>p</i> = 0.29). Median length of stay was 12 days (range 3–74), and there were no inpatient or procedure-related mortalities. Clinical outcomes were good with 94.4% (34/36) categorized as modified Rankin Scale 0–3 at discharge and there were 2 cranioplasty-related complications. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We observed an evolution of practice from limited surgical approaches towards more extensive index surgery over the study period. Given that a microorganism was isolated in all cases using a comprehensive approach, initiation of antibiotic therapy should not be delayed on presentation. Concurrent ENT surgery may be an important factor in providing aggressive source control thereby reducing the need for repeat surgery.

scholarly journals Rifampin Combination Therapy for Nonmycobacterial Infections

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme N. Forrest ◽  
Kimberly Tamura
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Prosthetic Heart Valve ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Joint Infections ◽  
Prosthetic Joint Infections

SUMMARY The increasing emergence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has resulted in the increased use of rifampin combination therapy. The data supporting rifampin combination therapy in nonmycobacterial infections are limited by a lack of significantly controlled clinical studies. Therefore, its current use is based upon in vitro or in vivo data or retrospective case series, all with major limitations. A prominent observation from this review is that rifampin combination therapy appears to have improved treatment outcomes in cases in which there is a low organism burden, such as biofilm infections, but is less effective when effective surgery to obtain source control is not performed. The clinical data support rifampin combination therapy for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections due to methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) after extensive debridement and for the treatment of prosthetic heart valve infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci. Importantly, rifampin-vancomycin combination therapy has not shown any benefit over vancomycin monotherapy against MRSA infections either clinically or experimentally. Rifampin combination therapy with daptomycin, fusidic acid, and linezolid needs further exploration for these severe MRSA infections. Lastly, an assessment of the risk-benefits is needed before the addition of rifampin to other antimicrobials is considered to avoid drug interactions or other drug toxicities.

scholarly journals Histological diagnosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor induced acute renal injury in patients with metastatic melanoma: a retrospective case series report

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Hultin ◽  
Kazi Nahar ◽  
Alexander M. Menzies ◽  
Georgina V. Long ◽  
Suran L. Fernando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Dysfunction ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Tubulointerstitial Injury ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Pattern Of Injury ◽  
Results Management

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become the standard of care in many oncological conditions but are associated with a spectrum of renal immune-related adverse events (IrAEs). We aimed to describe the spectrum, histology, management and outcomes of renal IrAE in patients with metastatic melanoma undergoing ICI therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 23 patients with a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma treated with ICI between January 2017 and April 2019 who developed a renal IrAE. Baseline demographic data, biochemical and histopathological results, management and outcomes were analyzed. Results The majority of patients who developed renal irAE were male and received combination immunotherapy. The median time of onset from initiation of ICI therapy to renal IrAE was 4 months. 52% of the treated renal IrAE had histopathologically confirmed renal IrAE. The most common histological pattern of injury was acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis (92%). One patient developed anti-GBM disease with non-dialysis dependent stage 5 CKD. In tubulointerstitial injury, there was no association between peak creatinine, renal recovery and histologically reported inflammation or fibrosis. Patients with renal IrAE demonstrated persisting renal dysfunction at 3, 6 and 12 months with a mean baseline, 3 and 12 month creatinine of 90.0 μmol/L, 127.0 μmol/L and 107.5 μmol/L respectively. Conclusion Renal IrAE is most commonly attributable to steroid responsive acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. The outcome of rarer pathologies such as anti-GBM disease may be adversely affected by a delayed diagnosis. There is persisting renal dysfunction following an episode of renal IrAE that may have impact on future renal and overall survival outcomes.

scholarly journals Cranial Nerve Injuries and the Retrojugular Approach in Carotid Endarterectomy

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 685-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D Beasley ◽  
Christopher P Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cranial Nerve Injuries

INTRODUCTION This is a retrospective case series analysis to compare the incidence of cranial nerve injuries in carotid endarterectomy by the retrojugular and anteromedial approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were extracted from a prospectively collected database. Ninety-one retrojugular carotid endarterectomies were compared with 145 anteromedial carotid endarterectomies. All were performed under local anaesthesia and used the eversion technique. Data were analysed using the chi-squared test. RESULTS Nine (3.8%) cases were complicated by cranial nerve injuries. In four cases, multiple nerves were involved. In total, 13 (5.5%) cranial nerves were injured. The affected nerves were: two (0.8%) marginal mandibular, two (0.8%) laryngeal, three (1.2%) accessory and six (2.5%) hypoglossal. There was no statistically significant difference in total or specific cranial nerve injuries between the two surgical approaches. CONCLUSIONS The risk of cranial nerve injuries was similar following either the retrojugular or anteromedial approach. Accessory nerve injuries were only seen in the retrojugular approach but this did not reach statistical significance.

An Exceptional Avulsion Fracture Above the Medial Malleolus: A Retrospective Case Series

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Zhao ◽  
Mingjuan He ◽  
Zhenhua Fang
Keyword(s):  
External Rotation ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Medial Malleolus ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Supination External Rotation ◽  
Pronation External Rotation

The Lauge-Hansen classification does not cover all types of ankle injuries. The present report details three cases of exceptional fragment of the medial tibia that differed from the traditional Lauge-Hansen supination–external rotation and pronation–external rotation fracture patterns. The information obtained from this study will be helpful for conducting basic research of this condition and determining appropriate surgical approaches.

scholarly journals Isolated Fibular Stress Fractures: Demographic and Radiographic Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0037
Author(s):  
Nana O. Sarpong ◽  
Matthew Levitsky ◽  
Michael Held ◽  
Justin K. Greisberg ◽  
J. Turner Vosseller
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Stress Fracture ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Distal Fibula ◽  
Retrospective Case Series ◽  
Short Period

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Fibular stress fractures are rare injuries that are incompletely understood in terms of pathogenesis and predisposing factors. While stress fractures all involve relative stress concentration in a finite area leading to local mechanical failure, the risk factors for this injury have not been assessed. Their relative rarity has made understanding of these risk factors difficult. In a retrospective case series, we sought to define demographic and radiographic risk factors for isolated fibular stress fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 13 patients with isolated fibular stress fractures at our institution between January 2010 and November 2018. We collected and analyzed baseline demographic data and radiographic parameters including prior history of fracture, location of stress fracture, bone quality, and heel alignment. Results: The cohort consisted of 6 men and 7 women with a mean age of 41.8 years at the time of diagnosis of the fibular stress fracture. The average BMI in the cohort was 28.5 kg/m2. The location of the stress fracture was in the distal third of the fibula in 69.2% (9/13), proximal third in 23.1% (3/13), and middle third in 7.7% (1/13). There was no evidence of osteopenia on radiographic analysis in any patients, by assessment of the senior author and attending radiologist at our institution. Isolated stress fractures in the distal third of the fibula were observed more commonly in women. Distal fibula stress fractures were associated with physiologic hindfoot valgus, while proximal fractures were seen with a varus hindfoot. Conclusion: In this retrospective case series of a rare injury, isolated stress fractures in the distal third of the fibula were the most common fibular stress fracture. Proximal fibular stress fractures were associated with a varus hindfoot. All fractures in this case series healed with immobilization in a walking boot with or without a short period of nonweightbearing.

scholarly journals Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis with and without Orbital Complications: Clinical and Laboratory Differences

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 573
Author(s):  
Kuan-Hsiang Twu ◽  
Ying-Ju Kuo ◽  
Ching-Yin Ho ◽  
Edward C. Kuan ◽  
Wei-Hsin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ethmoid Sinus ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Fungal Rhinosinusitis ◽  
Wbc Count ◽  
Orbital Complications ◽  
Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis

Background: Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFS) is a rare but often fatal disease. There are limited studies regarding IFS with orbital complications (IFSwOC). The present study aimed to identify the clinical signs associated with IFSwOC and prognosticators of the disease. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted of patients histopathologically confirmed IFS or fungal rhinosinusitis with clinically apparent neuro-orbital complications who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2018. Demographic data, presenting symptoms and signs, culture data, laboratory results, and patient outcomes were obtained from medical records. Results: A total of 38 patients were identified, including 9 patients with IFSwOC, and 29 patients with IFS without orbital complications (IFSsOC). The clinical signs associated with developing orbital complications include headache, fever, sphenoid sinus, or posterior ethmoid sinus involvement, CRP level ≥ 1.025 mg/dL, or ESR level ≥ 46.5 mm/h. In IFSwOC group, male, posterior ethmoid sinus involvement, WBC count ≥ 9000 μL, CRP level ≥ 6.91 mg/dL, or ESR level ≥ 69 mm/h were correlated with a significantly poorer prognosis. Conclusion: IFS patients with sphenoid or posterior ethmoid sinus involvement, headache or fever as presenting symptoms, elevated CRP, and ESR level were at risk of developing orbital complications. Timely surgical debridement followed by systemic antifungal treatment may improve treatment outcomes.

scholarly journals Scleral buckle surgery for pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment in western Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
RN Byanju ◽  
S Bajimaya ◽  
I Kansakar ◽  
A Melamud
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Scleral Buckle ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Repeat Surgery ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Best Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Aphakic Retinal Detachment

Introduction: Retinal detachment remains one of the most serious complications of cataract surgery. Treatment of this condition has represented a challenge for vitreoretinal surgeons. Scleral buckle (SB) surgery is one of the treatment options in pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment (RD). Aims: To find out the anatomical and visual outcome of SB in pseudophakic and aphakic RD. Subjects and methods: Retrospective case series of 46 consecutive eyes of 46 patients with RD (38 pseudophakic and 8 aphakic eyes) that had undergone conventional SB surgery were reviewed from patient files. Postoperative retinal status at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months were recorded to see the anatomical success rate after retinal reattachment surgery. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3 months follow-up was noted. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.28 ± 13.49 years. Forty eyes (86.9 %) had primary attachment by 6 weeks duration. Five eyes had undergone repeat surgery within a six-week duration (pars plana vitrectomy). Forty patients had follow-up visit to 12 weeks, achieving retinal attachment in 37 eyes (80.5 %). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3 months was better than 6/60 in 18 eyes (39.1%), BCVA better or equal to 1/60 but less than 6/60 in 18 eyes (39.1%) and BCVA less than 1/60 in 4 eyes (8.7 %). Conclusion: Conventional scleral buckling has good outcome for pseudophakic and aphakic RD and can be useful for patients in peripheral eye hospitals where patients cannot afford high cost surgeries. Keywords: scleral buckle, pseudophakia, retinal detachment DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v3i2.5261 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2011; 3(2): 109-117

scholarly journals Causes of eye removal: Analysis of 586 eyes

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Knezevic ◽  
Jelena Paovic ◽  
Predrag Paovic ◽  
Vojislav Sredojevic
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Neovascular Glaucoma ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Clinical Center ◽  
Phthisis Bulbi ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Common Etiology ◽  
Student’S T

Background/Aim. Eye enucleation is one of the oldest surgical procedures. The aim of the study was to determine the causes of enucleation as seen in a major reference eye center in Serbia. Methods. Retrospective case series involving a review of all enucleation procedures performed in the period between January 2000 and December 2008 at the Institute for Eye Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. The collected information included the basic demographic data and diagnosis of the affected eye. The diagnosis was made based on history, clinical and histological examinations. Clinical indications for enucleation were categorized as tumors, glaucoma, trauma, infections and other diseases. A statistical analysis was made using the Student's t-test. Results. There were 586 patients, 315 male and 271 female in our series. The mean age was 57.81, ranging from 3 months to 96 years. The most common cause of enucleations was tumor (76.11%), (p < 0.05). Choroid melanoma was the most common etiology leading to enucleation (81.18%), followed by retinoblastoma (12.34%). A total of 8.02% of enucleations were performed due to glaucoma that was primarily neovascular in 42.55% of cases or caused by trauma in 38.8% of cases. Trauma was the third common etiology of enucleation, and it was acute in 56.26% of cases or resulted in phthisis bulbi in 31.25% of cases. Enucleation caused by inflammation was performed in 2.90% of cases, out of which 52.94% of enucleations occurred after perforation of the cornea. In the group of other diseases the most common cause of enucleation was atrophy of the eye ball. Conclusion. Neoplasm, neovascular glaucoma, acute eye injury and atrophy of the eye ball are the most common causes of enucleation.

Pituitary gigantism: a retrospective case series

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Creo ◽  
Aida N. Lteif
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Repeat Surgery ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
And Gender

AbstractPituitary gigantism (PG) is a rare pediatric disease with poorly defined long-term outcomes. Our aim is to describe the longitudinal clinical course in PG patients using a single-center, retrospective cohort study.Patients younger than 19 years diagnosed with PG were identified. Thirteen cases were confirmed based on histopathology of a GH secreting adenoma or hyperplasia and a height >2 SD for age and gender. Laboratory studies, initial pathology, and imaging were abstracted.Average age at diagnosis was 13 years with an average initial tumor size of 7.4×3.8 mm. Initial transsphenoidal surgery was curative in 3/12 patients. Four of the nine patients who failed the initial surgery required a repeat procedure. Octreotide successfully normalized GH levels in 1/6 patients with disease refractory to surgery (1/6). Two out of five patients received pegvisomant after failing octreotide but only one patient responded to treatment. Five patients were ultimately treated with radiosurgery or radiation patients were followed for an average of 10 years.PG is difficult to treat. In most patients, the initial transsphenoidal surgery failed to normalize GH levels. If the initial surgery was unsuccessful, repeat surgery was unlikely to control GH secretion. Treatment with octreotide or pegvisomant was successful in less than half the patients failing surgery. Radiosurgery was curative, but is not an optimal treatment for pediatric patients. Despite the small sample, our study suggests that the treatment outcome of pediatric PG may be different than adults.

scholarly journals Proximally displaced medial humeral epicondyle fracture in pediatric patients: A clinical case series

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lujie Xu ◽  
Wensong Ye ◽  
Haibing Li ◽  
Jingfang Xu ◽  
Weiwei Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Medial Epicondyle ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Fracture Fragment ◽  
Elbow Injury ◽  
Injury Causes

Abstract Background Medial epicondyle fracture comprises a considerable proportion of pediatric elbow injury. The fracture fragment is typically pulled distally by the muscle and the ligament. This study aims to suggest proper recognition of a subset of the fracture that differs from its usual presentation. Methods A retrospective case study was conducted during 2011–2016. Of those cases, a subset was identified as proximally displaced (atypical) ones. Distinctive radiologic images, as well as the injury causes, demographic data, clinical signs, treatment ways, and final follow-ups regarding these atypical ones, were presented and discussed. The fracture mechanism was carefully inferred from former theories and the operative findings, and a tentative management strategy was suggested. Results Seven out of 112 cases were distinguished as the atypical, which represents 6.25% of the whole sample. Injury causes were all direct or combined direct/indirect force injuries instead of indirect force mostly seen in the typical. Five were operated while two nonoperatively treated. Operated cases revealed stripping of medial epicondyle from its surrounding periosteum/muscle origin or even cartilage. The fracture fragment was either pulled by proximal periosteum or even proximally dissociated. The outcomes of those atypical were mostly acceptable despite some minor defects. Conclusion The proximally displaced cases do constitute a portion of medial humeral epicondyle fracture in children. As well as its skeletal manifestation, awareness of its injury mechanism and soft tissue damage is required. Precise restoration of its anatomical structure might be vital for its treatment. Further scientific work is needed regarding its mechanism and management. Level of evidence: Level 4.

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