scholarly journals Changes in tonsillolith characteristics detected in a follow-up CT study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouhei Yamashita ◽  
Masafumi Oda ◽  
Tatsurou Tanaka ◽  
Ikuko Nishida ◽  
Nao Wakasugi-Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
The Body ◽  
Foreign Matter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Oral And Maxillofacial Regions ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Dynamic Fluctuation

Abstract Background Tonsilloliths are related clinically to halitosis and tonsillar abscess. However, the dynamics of tonsilloliths over time are unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate change in the characteristics of tonsilloliths in a time-dependent fashion by follow-up computed tomography (CT). Methods Tonsilloliths were analyzed in 326 CT scan pair sets of initial and at least two follow-up CT examinations of patients with whole palatine tonsils and various diseases of the oral and maxillofacial regions. Results Over the follow-up period, 12.1% of tonsilloliths disappeared. Approximately 26.1% of tonsilloliths changed in size during follow-up, mostly increasing in size. In tonsilloliths that showed enlargement, the mean (± standard deviation) growth rate was 0.61 ± 0.41 mm per year. Approximately 37.3% of tonsilloliths changed position during the follow-up period; of these, movement was toward the respiratory tract in 92% at a mean rate of − 1.38 ± 1.59 mm per year. The calcification levels of almost all tonsilloliths showed dynamic change: HU number increased in 84.3% and decreased in 12.7% of tonsilloliths over the follow-up period. The mean rate of HU increase was 63.8 ± 96.3 HU/year, and the mean rate of HU decrease was − 38.4 ± 66.8 HU/year. Conclusions The calcification levels of all tonsilloliths showed dynamic fluctuation, and a tendency for excretion of tonsilloliths from the body. Their dynamics over time suggest that tonsilloliths may be in a permanently active phase which functions to remove foreign matter.

scholarly journals A New Multiplatform Model for Outpatient Prenatal and Postpartum Care in a Cohort of COVID-19-Affected Obstetric Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5144
Author(s):  
Mar Muñoz-Chápuli Gutiérrez ◽  
Ana Durán-Vila ◽  
Javier Ruiz-Labarta ◽  
Pilar Payá-Martínez ◽  
Pilar Pintado Recarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Good Adherence ◽  
Major Morbidity ◽  
Reference Hospital ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Discharge From Hospital ◽  
Over Time

Spain was one of the epicenters of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe in this article the design and results of a new telephone-and-telematic multiplatform model of systematic prenatal and postpartum follow-up for COVID-19-affected women implemented in a tertiary reference hospital in Madrid. We included patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 during pregnancy or delivery from 10 March 2020 to 15 December 2020. We had a total of 211 obstetric patients: 148 (70.1%) were tested at the onset of suspicious clinical manifestations and 62 (29.4%) were tested in the context of routine screening. Of all the patients, 60 women (28.4%) were asymptomatic and 97 (46%) presented mild symptoms. Fifty-one women (24.2%) were admitted to our hospital for specific treatment because of moderate or severe symptoms. We had no missed cases and a good adherence. The mean number of calls per patient was 2.3. We performed 55 in-person visits. We analyzed the complexity of our program over time, showing a two-wave-like pattern. One patient was identified as needing hospitalization and we did not record major morbidity. Telemedicine programs are a strong and reproducible tool to reach to pregnant population affected by COVID-19, to assess its symptoms and severity, and to record for pregnancy-related symptoms both in an outpatient regime and after discharge from hospital.

Kidney function decline is associated with an accelerated increase in plasma homocysteine in older adults: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Yi Li ◽  
Meng Hao ◽  
Xiaoyan Jiang ◽  
Jiucun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Function ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Crude Model ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Kidney Function Decline ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the association of kidney function decline with the trajectories of homocysteine (Hcy) over time, using repeated measurements. We aimed to investigate the association of kidney function with changes in plasma Hcy levels over time. Methods: Data were collected from the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study. In detail, plasma Hcy and creatinine levels were measured in both waves (waves 2, 3 and 4) during the 3.5-year follow-up (N = 1135). Wave 2 was regarded as the baseline survey. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on creatinine. Subjects were categorized into four groups according to quartiles of eGFR at baseline. Linear mixed-effect models were used to investigate the association of eGFR with subsequent plasma Hcy levels. Results: The mean eGFR at baseline was 90.84 (11.42) mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean plasma Hcy level was 14.09 (6.82) at baseline and increased to 16.28 (8.27) and 17.36 (10.39) μmol/L during follow-ups. In the crude model, the interaction between time and eGFR at baseline was significant (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant relationship remained (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.003), suggesting that kidney function decline at baseline was associated with a faster increase in Hcy levels. Conclusion: Kidney function decline is associated with a more pronounced increase in plasma Hcy levels. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are needed to validate our findings.

scholarly journals How Does Health Literacy Modify Indicators of Health Behaviour and of Health? A Longitudinal Study with Trainees in North Germany

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Peter Koch ◽  
Zita Schillmöller ◽  
Albert Nienhaus
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Subjective Health Status ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Over Time

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a resource that can help individuals to achieve more control over their health and over factors that influence health. In the present follow-up study, we have investigated the extent to which HL in trainees changes over time and whether or to what extent HL influences health behaviour and health. Methods: In 2017, we performed a baseline survey (T0) of trainees from six different branches, who were contacted through vocational colleges in four northern federal states in Germany. The survey was repeated at the midpoint of their training in 2019 (T1). Demographic data were surveyed, together with information on HL (HLS-EU-Q16), health behaviour and on health status (psychological well-being, subjective health status). Multivariate regression analyses were performed in SPSS 26. Results: Three hundred and ninety-one (391) data sets were evaluated, with a follow-up rate of 27%; 79% of the trainees were female. The mean age was 21.2 years. Over all subjects, the mean HL increased over time ( (SD): 11.9 (2.9) to 12.2 (2.9), p = 0.070). This increase was only statistically significant for the health service trainees ( (SD): 12.1 (2.8) to 12.5 (2.9), p = 0.019). Relative to persons with adequate HL, the odds ratio over time for impaired psychological well-being was increased by 230% in persons with inadequate HL (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.70–6.32, p < 0.001). For persons with problematical HL, the corresponding increase in odds ratio was 110% (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.30–3.38, p = 0.002). Relative to persons with adequate HL, trainees with inadequate HL exhibited a significant increase in odds ratio of 2.8 over time for poor or less good subjective health status (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.23–6.33, p = 0.014). Conclusions: We observed a positive longitudinal association between HL and health. A significant increase in HL was observed in trainees in the health service. Thus the study shows that the concept of HL may provide a potential preventive approach for trainees.

scholarly journals Intradural migration of bullet in vertebra corpus after meningitis

2020 ◽  
pp. 570-573
Author(s):  
Halil İbrahim Gündüz ◽  
Turan Kandemir
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Male Patient ◽  
Spinal Canal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gunshot Injury ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Thoracic Region ◽  
Neural Damage ◽  
Over Time

In a gunshot injury, the spinal cord of the thoracic region is usually the most affected and damaged part of the body. In most cases, the bullet cannot be removed without causing more damage to the injury. Over time, the bullet tends to travel in different areas of the body. Moreover, cases on bullet movements in the spinal canal were reported in the literature. In this study, we reviewed the diagnosis and treatment of a 27-year-old male patient with a bullet detected in his vertebra corpus, which is caused by a gunshot injury. During the follow-up period, an intradural migration of the bullet from the vertebra corpus was observed. Furthermore, we performed surgery to prevent any future neural damage. In this study, we focused on a case with a gunshot injury, presenting an intradural migration of a bullet from the vertebra corpus after meningitis.

Evolution of concentricity after closed reduction in developmental dysplasia of the hip

2020 ◽  
Vol 102-B (5) ◽  
pp. 618-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weizheng Zhou ◽  
Wudbhav N. Sankar ◽  
Fangfang Zhang ◽  
Lianyong Li ◽  
Lijun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Closed Reduction ◽  
Joint Space ◽  
Developmental Dysplasia ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One Year ◽  
Safety And Stability ◽  
Dysplasia Of The Hip ◽  
Over Time

Aims The goal of closed reduction (CR) in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is to achieve and maintain concentricity of the femoral head in the acetabulum. However, concentric reduction is not immediately attainable in all hips and it remains controversial to what degree a non-concentric reduction is acceptable. This prospective study is aimed at investigating the dynamic evolution of the hip joint space after CR in DDH using MRI. Methods A consecutive series of patients with DDH who underwent CR since March 2014 were studied. Once the safety and stability were deemed adequate intraoperatively, reduction was accepted regardless of concentricity. Concentricity was defined when the superior joint space (SJS) and medial joint space (MJS) were both less than 2 mm, based on MRI. A total of 30 children, six boys and 24 girls, involving 35 hips, were recruited for the study. The mean age at CR was 13.7 months (3.5 to 27.6) and the mean follow-up was 49.5 months (approximately four years) (37 to 60). The joint space was evaluated along with the interval between the inverted and everted limbus. Results Only three hips (8.6%) were fully concentric immediately after CR. During follow-up, 24 hips (68.6%) and 27 hips (77.1%) became concentric at six months and one year, respectively. Immediate SJS after CR decreased from 3.51 mm to 0.79 mm at six months follow-up (p = 0.001). SJS in the inverted group decreased from 3.75 mm to 0.97 mm at six months follow-up. SJS or MJS in the everted group were less than those in the inverted group at each time of follow-up (p = 0.008, p = 0.002). Conclusion A stable, safe but non-concentric reduction achieved before the age of two years appears to improve over time with nearly 80% of hips becoming fully concentric by one year. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(5):618–626.

532 Early Debridement and Cultured Allogenic Keratinocyte Dressing Prevent Hypertrophic Scarring in Infants with Deep Dermal Burns

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S103-S104
Author(s):  
SeungJe Lee
Keyword(s):  
Functional Disability ◽  
Skin Grafting ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hypertrophic Scarring ◽  
Burn Scar ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Early Debridement

Abstract Introduction Deep dermal burns are frequently treated with excision and skin grafting. Otherwise, wound healing may take up to 4 to 6 weeks, with serious scarring. Especially in pediatric patients, post-burn scarring could result in psychologic trauma and functional disability. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of early debridement and dressing using cultured allogenic keratinocytes in infants with deep dermal burns to prevent hypertrophic scarring. Methods From April 2016 to April 2018, 18 infants were treated for deep dermal burns. Except for 5 infants who underwent skin grafting or excision, 13 infants were included in this study. We performed early debridement in these patients using Hydrosurgery device and serial dressings using cultured allogenic keratinocytes. Results The average operative date was 8.3 days after the accident. The mean healing time was 18.3 days after the accident. The patients did not experience any contraction, but 3 patients had hyperpigmentation, 2 patients had mild hypertrophic scarring, and 1 patient had mixed pigmentation (hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation). Conclusions Our prophylactic scar therapy, using early debridement with VersajetTM and dressings with Kaloderm®, may be beneficial for infants with dermal burns. This method was able to shorten the healing time, resulting in better scar outcomes. Our follow-up findings revealed that the scars had an aesthetically pleasing appearance and patients were able to perform normal activities without restrictions. Applicability of Research to Practice Burn scars are painful regardless of their seriousness. They restrict the function of the body, are aesthetically unappealing, and may feel unpleasant. Patients with a post-burn scar may have aesthetic, functional, and psychological problems. In particular, infant patients experience difficulties due to scarring as they grow up.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF USE OF DOSED PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN PATIENTS WITH HEMODIALYSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Vishnevsky ◽  
A. Sh. Rumyantsev ◽  
N. Yu. Korosteleva
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Energy Deficiency ◽  
Physical Exercises ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Training Mode ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Almost All

The article reflects modern ideas about the causes and mechanisms of the physical functioning disorders in patients with chronic kidney  disease receiving program hemodialysis. Various types of physical  activity are considered and the rationale for their use in dialysis  patients is justified. The diagnostics possibilities of the protein- energy deficiency main variants are presented. Possible directions  for their correction are outlined. The possibilities and methods of  regular physical training in such a complex cohort of patients with  changes in almost all the basic systems of the body are described in  detail. For patients who cannot perform physical exercises in a  training mode, a new rehabilitation technique was developed and  tested on a representative sample, and a new rehabilitation  technique that was not previously used in nephrology – a cutaneous  bilateral electrostimulation of the muscles of the lower extremities –  was justified and considered in detail. The authors give their own data on long-term follow-up of patients, which confirm the  possibilities of the presented methods not only in terms of improving physical performance, but also in improving the adequacy  of dialysis and the quality of life.

scholarly journals Longitudinal changes in extent of late gadolinium enhancement in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: a retrospective analysis of serial CMRs

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwannapas Saengsin ◽  
Minmin Lu ◽  
Lynn Sleeper ◽  
Tal Geva ◽  
Ashwin Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Late Gadolinium Enhancement ◽  
Tetralogy Of Fallot ◽  
Gadolinium Enhancement ◽  
Rate Of Progression ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Background Right ventricular (RV) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) occurs due to surgical scarring and RV remodeling, and has been shown to be associated with clinical outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). However, it is not known if cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) LGE extent progresses over time, and therefore, it is not known if serial reassessment of LGE is necessary. We determined the rate of progression in the extent of RV LGE on serial CMR examinations in repaired TOF. Methods Retrospective review of 127 patients after TOF repair (49% male, median age at first CMR 18.9 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 13.3,27.0) who had at least two CMRs (median follow-up duration of 4.0 years (IQR 2.1,5.9)) was performed. 84/127 patients had no interventions between serial CMRs (Group 1) while 43/127 patients had transcatheter or surgical intervention between CMRs (Group 2). The extent of RV LGE was assessed using 2 methods: a semiquantitative RV LGE score and a quantitative RV LGE extent expressed as % of RV mass. Mixed effects linear regression modeling to estimate changes in LGE over time. Results RV LGE was present in all patients on the first CMR. % RV LGE extent and LGE score did not increase over time in either patient group. The mean 5 year rates of change were small and negative for both % RV LGE extent [− 2.3 (95% CI − 2.9, − 1.8, p < 0.001) in Group 1, and − 1.9 (95% CI − 3.2, − 0.7, p = 0.004) in Group 2], and RV LGE score [− 0.9 (95% CI − 1.1, − 0.6, p < 0.001) in Group 1, and − 0.5 (95% CI − 1.1, − 0.0, p = 0.047) in Group 2]. Conclusions In this serial CMR evaluation of children and adults with repaired TOF, no significant progression in the extent of RV LGE was seen on intermediate term follow-up. Given recent concerns regarding the safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents, frequent assessment of LGE may not be necessary in follow-up.

Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Insulinomas: A Series of 15 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Vanessa Rebelo dos Santos ◽  
◽  
Carlota Ramos ◽  
Rafael Cruz ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Local Recurrence ◽  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
The Body ◽  
Head Of The Pancreas ◽  
The Mean

Insulinomas, although rare, are the most common pancreatic functioning neuroendocrine tumors. The diagnostic workup is commonly made late in time and surgical treatment is the only curative method. Our aim was to analyze the surgical approach to pancreatic insulinomas, through a 15-year series of patients who underwent surgery for this matter. From January 2006 to December 2020, we performed a retrospective review of the medical records of all the patients who underwent surgical treatment for insulinoma. Fourteen patients with insulinoma performed surgical intervention, 78,6% were of the female gender and the mean age was 48 years (19-86 years). Four (28,6%) of the tumors were located in the head of the pancreas, 5 (35,7%) in the body and 5 (35,7%) in the tail. Complications occurred in 4 patients (28,6%) following surgery. On follow-up, there was one (7,1%) case of local recurrence, thus necessitating a new surgical intervention [1-8].

scholarly journals Phrenic to musculocutaneous nerve transfer for traumatic brachial plexus injuries: analyzing respiratory effects on elbow flexion control

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariano Socolovsky ◽  
Martijn Malessy ◽  
Gonzalo Bonilla ◽  
Gilda Di Masi ◽  
María Eugenia Conti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Deep Breathing ◽  
Normal Breathing ◽  
Elbow Function ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

OBJECTIVEIn this study, the authors sought to identify the relationship between breathing and elbow flexion in patients with a traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) who undergo a phrenic nerve (PN) transfer to restore biceps flexion. More specifically, the authors studied whether biceps strength and the maximal range of active elbow flexion differ between full inspiration and expiration, and whether electromyography (EMG) activity in the biceps differs between forced maximum breathing during muscular rest, normal breathing during rest, and at maximal biceps contraction. All these variables were studied in a cohort with different intervals of follow-up, as the authors sought to determine if the relationship between breathing movements and elbow flexion changes over time.METHODSThe British Medical Research Council muscle-strength grading system and a dynamometer were used to measure biceps strength, which was measured 1) during a maximal inspiratory effort, 2) during respiratory repose, and 3) after a maximal expiratory effort. The maximum range of elbow flexion was measured 1) after maximal inspiration, 2) during normal breathing, and 3) after maximal expiration. Postoperative EMG testing was performed 1) during normal breathing with the arm at rest, 2) during sustained maximal inspiration with the arm at rest, and 3) during maximal voluntary biceps contraction. Within-group (paired) comparisons, and both correlation and regression analyses were performed.RESULTSTwenty-one patients fit the study inclusion criteria. The mean interval from trauma to surgery was 5.5 months, and the mean duration of follow-up 2.6 years (range 10 months to 9.6 years). Mean biceps strength was 0.21 after maximal expiration versus 0.29 after maximal inspiration, a difference of 0.08 (t = 4.97, p < 0.001). Similarly, there was almost a 21° difference in maximum elbow flexion, from 88.8° after expiration to 109.5° during maximal inspiration (t = 5.05, p < 0.001). Involuntary elbow flexion movement during breathing was present in 18/21 patients (86%) and averaged almost 20°. Measuring involuntary EMG activity in the biceps during rest and contraction, there were statistically significant direct correlations between readings taken during normal and deep breathing, which were moderate (r = 0.66, p < 0.001) and extremely strong (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), respectively. Involuntary activity also differed significantly between normal and deep breathing (2.14 vs 3.14, t = 4.58, p < 0.001). The degrees of involuntary flexion were significantly greater within the first 2.6 years of follow-up than later.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the impact of breathing on elbow function is considerable after PN transfer for elbow function reconstruction following a TBPI, both clinically and electromyographically, but also that there may be some waning of this influence over time, perhaps secondary to brain plasticity. In the study cohort, this waning impacted elbow range of motion more than biceps muscle strength and EMG recordings.

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