The Clinical Value of Multislice Spiral Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Upper Digestive Tract Diseases

Imaging methods for gastrointestinal diseases were based on X-ray imaging until the 1970s, but the development of fiberoptic endoscopy in the 1980s has replaced X-ray imaging. Endoscopy can directly observe the location, size, scope, and color of lesions and obtain pathological results through biopsy, while ligation and other treatments can be performed on polyps and other lesions. Studies have shown that multilayer spiral computed tomography (CT) examination after standardized gastrointestinal preparation and full use of the advantages of various 3D postprocessing reconstruction techniques are of great clinical value in the detection of gastrointestinal diseases, determination of the nature of lesions, localization of lesions, and staging of gastrointestinal malignancies and can make up for the shortcomings of fiberoptic endoscopy, and various 3D postprocessing reconstruction modes have their own advantages and disadvantages. Among them, conventional CT cross-sectional images are the basic images for the diagnosis of various gastric testicular lesions. Axial images, especially thin-layer axial images, can detect the absolute majority of lesions, but there are limitations in observing the anatomical position of lesions, invasion of surrounding tissues, lymph node metastasis, vascularity, and determination of the stage of malignant tumors.

Patient-Worn Enhanced Protection Face Shield for Flexible Endoscopy

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to compare the protection afforded by a standard face shield design with a new enhanced design in a controlled setting. Methods This study was exempted from review by institutional review board waiver. A flexible fiberoptic endoscopy was placed through stellate openings in the standard face shield and the enhanced face shield. A series of simulated coughs were created with bursts of fluorescein dye through an atomizer tip placed within the test participant’s mouth. Ultraviolet lighting illuminated the test area, and areas of dye splatter were noted. Results Fluorescein dye is easily aerosolized along the lateral inferior aspect of a standard shield with significant contamination of the surrounds. The enhanced face shield maintained a barrier to the aerosolized dye. Discussion Face shields, rather than face masks, should be considered a preferred alternative for the public and for health care professionals alike, as they address many of the personal protective equipment concerns especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Otolaryngologists are at high risk from aerosol-generating procedures, such as flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, even when wearing personal protective equipment. Here we describe a uniquely designed face shield to be worn by the patient as another layer of protection for the environment and for medical personnel. Implications for Practice During the course of a flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, medical personnel are safely isolated from potential infectious particles with a newly designed face shield.