Can the Expiratory Disproportion Index Distinguish PVFMD from Subglottic Stenosis in Obese Patients?

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942199015
Author(s):  
Kevin Calamari ◽  
Stephen Politano ◽  
Laura Matrka

Objectives: Expiratory disproportion index (EDI) is the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) divided by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) multiplied by 100. Prominent EDI (>50) values can differentiate subglottic stenosis (SGS) from paradoxical vocal fold movement disorder (PVFMD), but this has not been verified when considering body habitus. We hypothesize that the predictive value of elevated EDI in differentiating SGS from PVFMD will be lower in obese patients than non-obese patients. Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years old with recorded PFT values, BMI, and airway imaging were reviewed retrospectively from 01/2011 to 10/2018. EDI was recorded for 4 cohorts: non-obese/SGS, non-obese/ PVFMD, obese/SGS, and obese/ PVFMD, to determine the mean EDI and the sensitivity/specificity of an elevated EDI. Results: Mean EDI values were 69.32 and 48.38 in the non-obese SGS and PVFMD groups, respectively ( P < .01). They were 58.89 and 47.67 in the obese SGS and PVFMD groups, respectively ( P < .05). At a threshold of >50, EDI had a sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity of 51.6% in differentiating between SGS and PVFMD cases in non-obese patients and 51.6% and 63.6% in obese patients. Conclusion: Prior literature has established that EDI can distinguish SGS from PVFMD in the general population. Our results show that the mean EDI values were significantly different in both cohorts, but an elevated EDI was not as sensitive at identifying SGS cases in obese patients. This suggests that the EDI should be used with caution in obese patients and should not be relied upon to rule out SGS. Level of Evidence: 3.

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. NP666-NP675
Author(s):  
Richard J Restifo

Abstract Background Breast reduction for extreme macromastia in obese patients is a potentially high-risk endeavor. Free nipple grafting as well as a variety of pedicled techniques have been advocated for large reductions in obese patients, but the number of different approaches suggests that no single method is ideal. This paper suggests the Robertson Mammaplasty, an inferior pedicle technique characterized by a curvilinear skin extension onto the pedicle, as a potentially favorable approach to this clinical situation. Objectives The author sought to determine the safety of the Pedicled Robertson Mammaplasty for extreme macromastia in obese patients. Methods The records of a single surgeon’s practice over a 15-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were a Robertson Mammaplasty performed with a &gt;3000-g total resection and a patient weight at least 20% above ideal body weight. Records were reviewed for patient characteristics, operative times, and complications. Results The review yielded 34 bilateral reduction patients that met inclusion criteria. The mean resection weight was 1859.2 g per breast, the mean body mass index was 36.4 kg/m2, and the mean sternal notch-to-nipple distance was 41.4 cm. Mean operative time was 122 minutes. There were no cases of nipple necrosis and no major complications that required reoperation under general anesthesia. A total 26.4% of patients had minor complications that required either local wound care or small office procedures, and 4.4% received small revisions under local anesthesia. Conclusions The Pedicled Robertson Mammaplasty is a fast and safe operation that yields good aesthetic results and a relative minimum of complications in the high-risk group of obese patients with extreme macromastia. Level of Evidence: 4


Parasite ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Florence Robert-Gangneux ◽  
Hélène Guegan

Chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii is attested by the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgG. A wide panel of serologic methods is currently marketed, and the most suitable method should be chosen according to the laboratory resources and the screened population. This systematic review of evaluation studies aimed at establishing an overview of the performances, i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of marketed anti-Toxoplasma IgG assays, and discussing their technical characteristics to guide further choice for routine diagnostic use. According to PRISMA guidelines, the search performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases recovered 826 studies, of which 17 were ultimately included. Twenty commercial anti-Toxoplasma IgG assays were evaluated, in comparison with an accepted reference method. Most of them were enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs, n = 12), followed by agglutination tests (n = 4), immunochromatographic tests (n = 3), and a Western-Blot assay (WB, n = 1). The mean sensitivity of IgG assays ranged from 89.7% to 100% for standard titers and from 13.4% to 99.2% for low IgG titers. A few studies pointed out the ability of some methods, especially WB to detect IgG early after primary infection. The specificity of IgG assays was generally high, ranging from 91.3% to 100%; and higher than 99% for most EIA assays. The PPV was not a discriminant indicator among methods, whereas significant disparities (87.5%–100%) were reported among NPVs, a key-parameter assessing the ability to definitively rule out a Toxoplasma infection in patients at-risk for opportunistic infections.


2017 ◽  
Vol 07 (03) ◽  
pp. 227-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Guitton ◽  
David Ring ◽  
Sebastian Farr ◽  

Background Patients with Madelung deformity exhibit a spectrum of mild to severe deformity and distortion of wrist geometry. It may be difficult to reliably distinguish mild Madelung deformity from normal. Purpose This study thus tested the reliability of the diagnosis of mild Madelung deformity on a single posteroanterior (PA) radiograph. Materials and Methods An online survey was sent to hand and wrist surgeons of the Science of Variation Study Group for evaluation of 25 PA wrist radiographs comprising five adults with suspected mild Madelung deformity and 20 radiographs without any evident wrist pathology. Interobserver agreement was evaluated both via average percent agreement and Fleiss' kappa. To evaluate the relationship of rater characteristics and accuracy, a linear regression model was computed. Results The interobserver agreement among the 69 participating surgeons was low (Κ = 0.12). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.30, 0.86, and 0.75, respectively. The mean confidence was 7.4 ± 0.4 for mild Madelung and 7.8 ± 0.5 for normal (p = 0.112). The observers' confidence level was the only factor which had a mild but significant effect on the accuracy of the ratings. Conclusion The diagnosis of mild Madelung deformity on a single PA radiograph is unreliable. Level of Evidence The level of evidence is II, diagnostic study.


Author(s):  
Omar Musbahi ◽  
Thomas W. Hamilton ◽  
Adam J. Crellin ◽  
Stephen J. Mellon ◽  
Benjamin Kendrick ◽  
...  

Abstract The number of patients with knee osteoarthritis, the proportion that is obese and the number undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are all increasing. The primary aim of this systematic review was to determine the effects of obesity on outcomes in UKA. A systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines and the primary outcome was revision rate per 100 observed component years, with a BMI of ≥ 30 used to define obesity. The MINORS criteria and OCEBM criteria were used to assess risk of bias and level of evidence, respectively. 9 studies were included in the analysis. In total there were 4621 knees that underwent UKA. The mean age in included studies was reported to be 63 years (mean range 59.5–72 years old)) and range of follow up was 2–18 years. Four studies were OCEBM level 2b and the average MINORS score was 13. The mean revision rate in obese patients (BMI > 30) was 0.33% pa (95% CI − 3.16 to 2.5) higher than in non-obese patients, however this was not statistically significant (p = 0.82). This meta-analysis concludes that there is no significant difference in outcomes between obese and non-obese patients undergoing UKA. There is currently no evidence that obesity should be considered a definite contraindication to UKA. Further studies are needed to increase the numbers in meta-analysis to explore activity levels, surgeon’s operative data, implant design and perioperative complications and revision in more depth. Level of evidence Level III.


Joints ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 008-012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Larsen ◽  
Anne S. Engberg ◽  
Isa Motahar ◽  
Svend E. Ostgaard ◽  
Rasmus Elsoe

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this study was to report the outcome of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 35. Methods This is a prospective cohort study, including patients referred with the aim of planning bariatric surgery between October 2015 and January 2017. The primary outcome measurement was KOOS. An experienced radiologist obtained and evaluated standard radiological osteoarthritis examinations of the knee joints. Results The mean age was 43.1 years, and ages ranged from 24 to 69 years. The mean BMI was 48.3, and BMI ranged from 35 to 66. Results show that obese patients reported significantly worse in the KOOS subscales pain, activities of daily living, sport, and quality of life (QOL) compared with a reference population, due to nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals. No significant differences between obese and superobese patients were observed on the KOOS subscales (p > 0.08). The KOOS subscales showed worse outcome with increasing severity of radiological knee osteoarthritis; however, only significant differences were observed for the KOOS subscales sport and QOL (p < 0.05). Conclusion Results imply that the KOOS scores vary significantly with obesity. When utilizing KOOS outcome, considering obesity in the interpretation of outcome is highly recommended. Level of Evidence This is an observational, level III study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 247301142094850
Author(s):  
Trevor J. McBride ◽  
Aaron Wilke ◽  
Jamie Chisholm ◽  
Kevin D. Martin

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative foot and ankle patient-reported visual analog pain scores (VAS) to nursing staff and the treating surgeon during a single encounter. Prior literature established preoperative patients reported higher pain scores to a surgeon as compared to nursing staff. We hypothesized that there will be no differences in postoperative patients’ pain scores when reporting to nursing staff vs a surgeon. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort of 201 consecutive postoperative foot and ankle patients with 3 follow-up encounters treated by a single surgeon. The patients were asked to rate their pain intensity using the VAS with 0 “no pain” and 10 “worst pain” at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively by a nurse and surgeon. Results: At all time intervals, the mean pain score was significantly higher when reported to the surgeon, although these were not clinically relevant. The mean scores at 2 weeks were 2.8 reported to the surgeon and 2.5 reported to the nurse ( P < .001). The mean scores at 6 weeks were 2.0 reported to the surgeon and 1.8 reported to the nurse ( P = .002). The mean scores at 12 weeks were 2.3 reported to the surgeon and 2.0 reported to the nurse ( P = .005). Conclusion: This study found that postoperative foot and ankle patients did not overemphasize their VAS pain scores to the physician vs nursing staff. These findings contrast with our 2 previous studies that found preoperative and nonoperative patients reported clinically significant higher scores to the surgeon. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative study.


Author(s):  
J. Terrence Jose Jerome

Abstract Background The natural history of scaphoid nonunion is the development of degenerative arthritis. A lot of information is still unclear about this progression. The purpose of this study is to analyze patients with scaphoid nonunions who had not received any kind of treatment and to assess the functional outcome. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study that analyzed the patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions between 2009 and 2019. None of the patients received any treatment. The age at the time of injury, examination, pattern of fracture, types of scaphoid nonunion, symptoms, and duration of nonunion were noted. Diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scapholunate and radiolunate angles were recorded. Pain score, modified mayo wrist score, grip strength, range of movement, and the functional outcome of these scaphoid nonunions were analyzed. A statistical correlation between the scaphoid nonunion presentations and the functional outcome was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range: 35–82 years.). There were 17 male and 3 female patients. There were 9 waist and 11 proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. The mean duration of scaphoid nonunion was 34 years (range: 10–62 years). None of the patients had avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal scaphoid. The age at examination, gender, side of injury, fracture pattern (waist/proximal pole), fracture displacement ≤ 1 mm or > 1 mm, nonunion duration, and radiographic arthritic parameters had no significant impact on the functional outcome. Conclusions Untreated chronic scaphoid nonunion leads to the development of degenerative arthritis over a period of years, which is still unpredictable. Most of the patients become aware of the nonunion following a precedent injury or other reasons. Most of the patients have fair/good functional outcome despite reduced range of movements and grip strength. Many do not favor surgical intervention in the course of nonunion. Chronic nonunions open a lot of unanswered questions. Clinical relevance There have been numerous studies on the treatment aspects of scaphoid nonunion, with little knowledge about certain people with nonunion who did not have any kind of treatment. The demographics, clinical findings, and radiological parameters do confirm the progression of these nonunion to arthritis, but most of them had fair-to-good outcome throughout their life. It opens our thinking about the real need of treatment in such nonunions and raises numerous questions about the disease. Level of evidence This is a Level IV study.


Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Kato ◽  
Taku Suzuki ◽  
Makoto Kameyama ◽  
Masato Okazaki ◽  
Yasushi Morisawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous study demonstrated that distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) plays a biomechanical role in extension and flexion of the wrist and suggested that fixation of the DRUJ could lead to loss of motion of the wrist. Little is known about the pre- and postoperative range of motion (ROM) after the Sauvé–Kapandji (S-K) and Darrach procedures without tendon rupture. To understand the accurate ROM of the wrist after the S-K and Darrach procedures, enrollment of patients without subcutaneous extensor tendon rupture is needed. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the pre- and postoperative ROM after the S-K and Darrach procedures without subcutaneous extensor tendon rupture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods This retrospective study included 36 patients who underwent the S-K procedure and 10 patients who underwent the Darrach procedure for distal radioulnar joint disorders without extensor tendon rupture. Pre- and postoperative ROMs after the S-K and Darrach procedures were assessed 1 year after the surgery. Results In the S-K procedure, the mean postoperative ROM of the wrist flexion (40 degrees) was significantly lower than the mean preoperative ROM (49 degrees). In wrist extension, there were no significant differences between the mean preoperative ROM (51 degrees) and postoperative ROM (51 degrees). In the Darrach procedure, the mean postoperative ROM of the wrist flexion and extension increased compared with the mean preoperative ROM; however, there were no significant differences. Conclusion In the S-K procedure, preoperative ROM of the wrist flexion decreased postoperatively. This study provides information about the accurate ROM after the S-K and Darrach procedures. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.


Author(s):  
Kassim R Dekhil ◽  
Ali abd-almer Jwad ◽  
Abbas Alyasiry

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is an old & common childhood condition. It has been found that,there is a relationship between adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children & nocturnal enuresis. This study was conducted to see the effects of adenotonsillectomy on nocturnal enuresis in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.This study was conducted in Diwaniyah teaching hospital,Diwaniyah city,Iraq from May 2012 to August 2014. The total number of children admitted for adenotonsillectomy or tonsillectomy alone were 287. 76 children out of the total number were included in the study. The children were followed by the same questionnaire for four months postoperatively,including,age,the number of night bed wettings,type of enuresis and the results of urine examinationof total 287 children who were submitted for surgery,76 children were eligible for the study,48 (63.16%) of the total number included in the study were males and 28 (36.84%) were females. The mean age was 7.2 years. Adenotonsillectomy was performed in 64 children,and tonsillectomy in12 children. A complete improvement of nocturnal enuresis (NE) & daytime incontinence was achieved in 32 (42.11%) children. A mild to moderateimprovement was observed in 38 (50%),while no improvement seen in the remaining 6 (7.89%) children postoperatively.Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is an old & common childhood condition & there is a relation between nocturnal enuresis in children & adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Children with nocturnal enuresis should be evaluated by ENT surgeon to rule out any adenotonsillar hypertrophy for possible adenotonsillectomy effect. However,a wide base studies are needed to clarify these results.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheilla Achieng ◽  
John A Reynolds ◽  
Ian N Bruce ◽  
Marwan Bukhari

Abstract Background/Aims  We aimed to establish the validity of the SLE-key® rule-out test and analyse its utility in distinguishing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from other autoimmune rheumatic connective tissue diseases. Methods  We used data from the Lupus Extended Autoimmune Phenotype (LEAP) study, which included a representative cross-sectional sample of patients with a variety of rheumatic connective tissue diseases, including SLE, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), inflammatory myositis, systemic sclerosis, primary Sjögren’s syndrome and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). The modified 1997 ACR criteria were used to classify patients with SLE. Banked serum samples were sent to Immune-Array’s CLIA- certified laboratory Veracis (Richmond, VA) for testing. Patients were assigned test scores between 0 and 1 where a score of 0 was considered a negative rule-out test (i.e. SLE cannot be excluded) whilst a score of 1 was assigned for a positive rule-out test (i.e. SLE excluded). Performance measures were used to assess the test’s validity and measures of association determined using linear regression and Spearman’s correlation. Results  Our study included a total of 155 patients of whom 66 had SLE. The mean age in the SLE group was 44.2 years (SD 13.04). 146 patients (94.1%) were female. 84 (54.2%) patients from the entire cohort had ACR SLE scores of ≤ 3 whilst 71 (45.8%) had ACR SLE scores ≥ 4. The mean ACR SLE total score for the SLE patients was 4.85 (SD 1.67), ranging from 2 to 8, with mean disease duration of 12.9 years. The Sensitivity of the SLE-Key® Rule-Out test in diagnosing SLE from other connective tissue diseases was 54.5%, specificity was 44.9%, PPV 42.4% and NPV 57.1 %. 45% of the SLE patients had a positive rule-out test. SLE could not be ruled out in 73% of the MCTD patients whilst 51% of the UCTD patients had a positive Rule-Out test and &gt;85% of the inflammatory myositis patients had a negative rule-out test. ROC analysis generated an AUC of 0.525 illustrating weak class separation capacity. Linear regression established a negative correlation between the SLE-key Rule-Out score and ACR SLE total scores. Spearman’s correlation was run to determine the relationship between ACR SLE total scores and SLE-key rule-out score and showed very weak negative correlation (rs = -0.0815, n = 155, p = 0.313). Conclusion  Our findings demonstrate that when applied in clinical practice in a rheumatology CTD clinic setting, the SLE-key® rule-out test does not accurately distinguish SLE from other CTDs. The development of a robust test that could achieve this would be pivotal. It is however important to highlight that the test was designed to distinguish healthy subjects from SLE patients and not for the purpose of differentiating SLE from other connective tissue diseases. Disclosure  S. Achieng: None. J.A. Reynolds: None. I.N. Bruce: Other; I.N.B is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator and is funded by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. M. Bukhari: None.


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