Clinico-Epidemioogical and Radiological Profile of Broncholitis at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, Bangladesh

Background: Bronchiolitis, caused mostly by Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virus is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants. The disease is mostly presents with cough runny nose, fever, breathing difficulties and respiratory failure This infection usually affects children up to age of 24 months, with younger infants often more severely affected and is the most prevalent cause of hospitalization in infants under the age of 12 months. The treatment is supportive; therefore, epidemiology, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings can help to ensure appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional observation study was conducted at Paediatrics department of Sher-E-Bangla Medical College & Hospital (SBMCH), Barishal, Bangladesh between October 2018 to March 2019To find out the clinico-epidemiological and radiological profile of Bronchiolitis. Children below 24 months of age diagnosed as bronchiolitis were studied.Results:200 children were evaluated, including 150 boys and 50 girls; Infants below 6 months accounted for the highest proportion (60%). All the bronchiolitis patients had cough or cold with respiratory distress. Other symptoms were fever (98.0%), restlessness (63.0%), poor feeding (60%) and fast breathing. On examination lower chest indrawing and rhonchi were found in all cases. Hyperinflation was the most prevalent radiological finding (60%) and more than half (55%) patients had lymphocytosis on CBC.Conclusion:Most children present with typical clinical and radiological feature of bronchiolitis which can help the clinicians to clinically identify this disease more efficiently.

HARM revisited: Etiology of subarachnoid hyperintensities in brain FLAIR MRI

Background: The hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM) describes a phenomenon with a hyperintense signal in the subarachnoid space in Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, presumably based on blood–brain barrier breakdown in acute stroke with reperfusion. However, this imaging phenomenon was described in other medical conditions. Aim: Determination of the prevalence and associated clinical findings of this phenomenon in a large sample of patients with different neurological conditions. Methods: This is retrospective, single-center, observational study of 23,948 cerebral MRIs acquired in a Neurological University Clinic over 5 years. The prevalence of HARM, the underlying diagnosis, and damage pattern were examined by chart analysis; MRI was analyzed regarding the type of acute lesions, extent of microangiopathic lesions, and whether gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) was given. Results: Among the MRI data, 84 images (0.35%) from 61 patients were HARM-positive without a subarachnoid signal abnormality in any other sequence. Etiologies were heterogeneous; 35 patients had a cerebrovascular disease (CVD; 19 patients received recanalization therapy), 12 patients had an inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease and 14 patients had epilepsy. GBCA was applied to 64% of the patients. Conclusion: HARM was a rare radiological finding in a range of different neurological pathologies, not limited to stroke, or to previous reperfusion therapy and was not dependent on previous GBCA administration. Our data suggest that the term is too narrow in terms of the concepts of the underlying pathology. We propose to use the term FLAIR Subarachnoid Hyperintensity (“FLASH”) phenomenon which might better reflect the observation that the radiological sign can be associated with a variety of central neurological conditions without a straightforward association with therapy.

Clinicopathologic Features of Lymphoproliferative Neoplasms Involving the Liver

Background and Objectives: Primary hepatic lymphoproliferative neoplasms (PHL) are uncommon. This retrospective study is aimed to present the clinicopathological characteristics of PHL and compare to secondary hepatic lymphoproliferative neoplasms (SHL). Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with lymphoproliferative neoplasms involving the liver between January 2004 and December 2018 at a tertiary medical center in central Taiwan were included. The demographic and clinical data, radiological results and histopathological findings were reviewed and summarized. Results: We analyzed 36 patients comprising 6 PHL patients and 30 SHL patients. The median age at diagnosis tended to be younger in PHL than in SHL (59 vs. 63 years old, p = 0.349). Both entities had a small male predominance. The PHL patients tended to have higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and serum albumin and lower levels of alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase compared with SHL, but there was no significant difference. Multiple mass lesions were the most common radiological finding in both groups. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the predominant subtype in both groups (67% in PHL and 40% in SHL). The PHL patients had a longer median survival than the SHL patients (not reached vs. 3 months, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Although there was no significant difference between PHL and SHL in clinical, laboratory and radiological features, the SHL patients had very poor outcomes with a median survival time of 3 months. Effective therapies are urgently required for these patients.

Central nervous system manifestations of mucormycosis

<p><strong>Background:</strong> There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of mucormycosis cases post the second wave of COVID-19 in India, with a variety of clinical manifestations. The central nervous system manifestations have proven to be especially fatal, hence these require special attention. Aims and objectives of current investigation was to study the epidemiology, clinical features, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, management and complications of CNS manifestations of mucormycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This is a retrospective study, conducted on the mucormycosis patients admitted in G.G. hospital Jamnagar. Patients with clinically and radiologically evident central nervous system involvement were included in the study. The records of the patients were followed for 3 months post the diagnosis. 47 patients were included in the study.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of the patients was 51 years. 72.34% of patients were males, and 27.65%, were females. The most common clinical feature was headache 100% followed by fever 55%. Most of the patients (97.87%) had history of COVID 19 or had active infection. 63.96% had diabetes Mellitus. The most common radiological finding was cavernous sinus thrombosis (32.60%), 72.34% underwent surgical debridement, and all the patients were administered Amphotericin B. The outcome improved significantly with surgical debridement, with recovery seen in 51.06% patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There has been a steep rise in the cases of mucormycosis following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an extremely virulent infection which spreads rapidly, often causing the involvement of the central nervous system. However, early diagnosis and intervention have been found to alter the prognosis significantly.</p>

Intrasellar Arachnoid Cyst, a Rare Radiological Finding: Report of a Case.

Intrasellar arachnoid cysts are uncommon radiological findings, generally incidental and clinically silent. We present the case of 70 year-old female who was treated of meningitis due to cerebrospinal fluid nasal fistulae. She was diagnosed of intrasellar arachnoid cyst and managed conservatively because no neurologic, hormonal, symptomatic either CSF fistulae appeared during follow-up. The origin of intrasellar arachnoid cysts is unclear; although an incomplete diaphragma sellae through basal arachnoid membrane herniates may be a plausible theory. Conservative treatment is the usual option, but if hormonal, visual or intracranial hypertension symptoms appeared, surgery may be the best therapy. This entity should be in the differential diagnosis of cystic sellar lesions with other benign cysts and tumors as craniopharyngioma.

P-BN37 Audit of the Management of Gall Bladder (GB) Polyps according to European Joint Guidelines (EJG), 2017

Background Gall Bladder (GB) polyps are abnormal growths of the inner lining that project into the lumen. They are a rare incidental radiological finding, with prevalence ranging from 0.3% to 9.5%. The majority of these frequently turn out to be pseudopolyps, however, correct follow up and management is essential as to ensure that true polyps, which may be malignant or have malignant potential, are not missed. EJG on the subject, published in 2017, tried to address controversial issues including which patients require cholecystectomy, which patients require follow up and how frequently this should be. We carried out an audit assessing adherence of our center’s management of GB polyps to the EJGs. Methods Patients were identified for this retrospective ten year cohort study bv identifying patients listed under ‘International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10) code K 82.8, other specified diseases of gall bladder’ on our database. Patients with other diagnoses, such as gall bladder dysfunction were excluded after review of electronic patient record (EPR) (Sunrise, Allscripts). EPRs facilitated review of emergency attendances, clinic letters, investigations and histological results for those diagnosed with a gall bladder polyp. Analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel. Results Since publication of the guidelines, 71 patients were diagnosed with a polyp. Of these, 73% were diagnosed by general surgeons and only 36% were managed according to the guidelines. We did, however, identify a strong positive trend (0.9) in improved adherence to guidelines over time. We found that guidance was more likely to be followed if the polyp was &gt;10mm versus smaller (p &lt; 0.01). 18% of patients (50% of those adherent to guidelines) were booked straight for laparoscopic cholecystectomy but there was a much poorer adherence to guidance concerning surveillance of polyps. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.32) in adherence to guidance when comparing management by surgeons versus non-surgeons. Conclusions Adherence to EJG’s overall is poor in our cohort. The adherence has improved over time, and at 3 years post introduction is 62% compared to an average of 35%. The guidance is also best followed when laparoscopic cholecystectomy is indicated straight from diagnosis compared to patients who meet the criteria for surveillance. Initial diagnosis by a non-surgical specialty does not affect adherence to guidance. Better local education amongst junior surgical grades about GB polyps, as well as increased awareness of the EJG’s may improve adherence to guidance. Further research into risk stratification and the optimal follow up of GB polyps may make surveillance guidance easier to follow and further improve compliance.

P-BN36 Trends in Management of Gall Bladder Polyps Over 10 Years

Background Gall Bladder (GB) polyps are abnormal growths on the inner lining that project into the lumen of the GB. They are a rare incidental radiological finding, with a prevalence ranging from 0.3% to 9.5%. The majority of these turn out to be pseudopolyps, however, correct follow up and management is essential to ensure that true polyps, which may be malignant or have malignant potential, are not missed. We hypothesised that a lack of familiarity and poor understanding of the significance of GB polyps, along with the fact that they are frequently noted as an incidental finding by non-surgical specialties, has led to variable management of GB polyps. In order to investigate this, we carried out a retrospective analysis of the management of GB polyps at our large district general hospital over the last 10 years. Methods Patients were identified for this retrospective ten-year cohort study from our database by identifying all patients coded under the ‘International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10) code K 82.8, other specified diseases of gall bladder’. Patients with other diagnoses, such as gall bladder dysfunction, were excluded after review of electronic patient record (EPR) (Sunrise, Allscripts). These records facilitated review of emergency attendances, clinic letters, investigations, and histological results for those diagnosed with a gall bladder polyp. Analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 154 GB polyps were identified, of which general surgeons diagnosed 63% and 74% went on to have further management. 11% of patients in our cohort proceeded straight to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 33% underwent planned surveillance, 20% had unplanned scans and 12% were either followed up with the GP or referred back to clinic. A further 26% were discharged. In total, 35% of patients ultimately had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the average time from diagnosis to operation was 19 months. There was a strong negative correlation (-0.72) in reduction in time to operation over the 10-year study period. We also identified a decline in patients being followed up over time (-0.14) and in patients receiving no further management post diagnosis (-0.19). Conclusions Management of GB polyps has historically been and continues to be very variable, however, over our 10-year study period we have identified a trend towards operating earlier, with more patients being listed for surgery straight from diagnosis, and more having a shorter period of surveillance. In our cohort there has been no change in number of patients who have further planned surveillance imaging after diagnosis or in numbers of patients discharged with no further investigation or management. We postulate that this variability in management may be due to the fact that GB polyps are often identified as an incidental finding by non-surgical specialists, together with a general lack of awareness of current guidelines and a poor understanding of the pathophysiology.

P-BN38 Patient Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy after a Diagnosis of Gall Bladder (GB) Polyp over 10 Years

Background Gall Bladder (GB) polyps are elevations of the GB wall that project into the lumen. They are a rare incidental radiological finding with prevalence of 0.3% to 9.5%. Although the majority of these may be pseudopolyps correct follow up and management is essential as to ensure that true polyps, which may be malignant or have malignant potential, are not missed. We conducted a retrospective study assessing patient factors that may predispose to the finding of true polyps. Patient outcomes including histological findings as well as ongoing symptoms and further investigations or emergency attendances were also assessed. Methods Patients were identified for this retrospective ten year cohort study using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD 10) code K 82.8, other specified diseases of gall bladder. Patients with other diagnoses such as gall bladder dysfunction were excluded after review of electronic patient record (EPR) (Sunrise, Allscripts). EPR allowed for review of emergency attendances, clinic letters, investigations and histological results for those diagnosed with a gall bladder polyp. Analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel. Results 35% patients had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the average wait time for surgery was 19 months but only 11% of patients were found to have true GB polyps on histology. Other histological findings included chronic cholecystitis (96%), cholesterolsis (33%) and stones 35%. Only 12% of those booked straight to laparoscopic cholecystectomy re-presented post operatively compared to 37% of those operated on after a period of surveillance. Patients booked straight for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or diagnosed with polyps &gt;10mm in size, were statistically more likely to have a true GB polyp (P &lt; 0.05), however, gender, ethnicity, and whether an isolated polyp or multiple were diagnosed made no statistical difference to detection of a true polyp (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions From this series of patients true polyps are most likely to be identified if it is larger than 10mm at diagnosis and operated on straight away. 96% of all patients, however, displayed histological features of chronic cholecystitis. This suggests that proceeding to laparoscopic cholecystectomy straight from diagnosis of a GB polyp can be justified. Only 1patient in our cohort returned normal GB histology.. Following diagnosis of a GB polyp, the option of operation versus surveillance should be discussed wirth individual patients and decisions based on assessment of risks and benefits should be made. Further research will help identify those with a predisposition to high-risk true polyps.