Invasive hemodynamic assessment of patients with cardiomyopathies

Invasive hemodynamic assessment of cardiac diseases has become an important diagnostic tool in recent decades. Non-invasive methods are the main techniques used to assess cardiac function, due to their wider availability. Cardiac catheterization is useful when there are diagnostic problems that cannot be solved with routine methods. Cardiac catheterization should be individualized according to the specific problems of the patient and based on the results from non-invasive methods. Invasive diagnostics is used in the assessment of patients with various cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathies. In this review, we consider the role of cardiac catheterization, its advantages and disadvantages as part of the overall assessment of patients with cardiomyopathies.  

Application of IAC Yokohama system for breast cytology – The experience at a tertiary care hospital

Breast malignancies are one of the commonest malignancies in Indian women. Increasing urbanization is attributed to raise of breast cancers and have surpassed cervix cancer in recent times and are now ranked top in some metros. FNA is used as an important diagnostic tool as a part of triple assessment. The application of the IAC Yokohama system in breast cytology improves the reporting and also allows the calculation of risk of malignancy (ROM). The main aim of the study is to; 1. Apply the IAC Yokohama system for the diagnostic; 2. assessment and subsequent categorization of FNA samples and correlate them with histopathology examination (HPE); 3. calculate ROM; 4. Calculate p-value.A total of 305 samples received were diagnosed and classified according to the IAC Yokohama system. The study was conducted over a period of 2 yrs retrospectively from June 2019 to May 2021. For the 305 FNA samples received, HPE correlation was made and statistical parameters, ROM , p-value were calculated.305 FNA samples were obtained and categorized according to the IAC Yokohama system. They were categorized and the percentage of incidence noted as 1. Insufficient - 6.89%, 2.Benign - 72.46%, 3.Atypical probably benign - 3.28%, 4. Suspicious - 3.28%, 5. Malignant - 14.09%. ROM was also calculated. The distribution of cases in percentage as per categories are: category 1 – 0%, category 2 - 2%, category 3 – 0%, category 4- , 42.86% category 5- 100%. For 305 FNA samples reported 95 cases received for HPE and subsequently cyto – histopathological correlation was made and statistical parameters were calculated. Compiled statistics showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93.54%, NPV of 100%, PPV of 89.19% and diagnostic accuracy at 95.78%. The p-value for the present study is 0.0001 which is very significant.Application of the IAC Yokohama system of reporting breast cytopathology helps in better categorization of FNA samples and it improves the efficacy of cytopathologist. It gives better clarity to the clinicians in the management of the patient and can reduce unnecessary surgeries.

Predictors of Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Symptomatic Children with Normal Spirometry and Suspicious of Possible Asthma

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Asthma diagnosis may be challenging particularly in patients with mild symptoms without an obstructive pattern in spirometry. Detection of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by a positive methacholine challenge (MCC) is still an important diagnostic tool to confirm the presence of asthma with reasonable certainty. However, it is time consuming and could be exhausting for patients. We aimed to identify the predictive factors for AHR in children with respiratory symptoms without obstructive pattern in spirometry. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data from children who had undergone MCC were analyzed retrospectively. The demographic features of patients along with laboratory results were collected. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 123 children with a median age of 10.5 years were enrolled. AHR was detected in 81 children (65.8%). The age of the children with AHR was significantly younger. The prevalences of aeroallergen sensitization, nocturnal cough, wheezing, and a baseline forced expiratory flow at 75% of vital capacity (FEF₇₅) &#x3c;65% were significantly more frequent in children with AHR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age, ever wheezing, nocturnal cough, tree pollen allergy, and FEF₇₅ &#x3c;65% as independent predictors of AHR. A weighted clinical risk score was developed (range, 0–75 points). At a cutoff point of 35, the presence of AHR is predicted with a specificity of 90.5% and a positive predictive value of 91.5%. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In children suspected of having asthma, but without an obstructive pattern in the spirometry, combining independent predictors, which can be easily obtained in clinical practice, might be used to identify children with AHR.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Miniprobe and Single Balloon Enteroscopy: A Diagnostic Tool for Investigating Small Bowel Lesions

Objectives: The set of balloon-assisted enteroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) together can further improve the diagnosis of small bowel submucosal lesions. We reported our experience on clinical utility of the EUS miniprobe UM-3Y in the investigation of lesions of small bowel during single balloon enteroscopy (SBE). Methods: Between 2014 and 2017 we investigated 14 consecutive patients with symptoms, the suspect of small bowel tumor or inflammatory bowel disease. Almost all patients underwent video-capsule endoscopy before SBE. Results: EUS permitted us to better characterize lesions detected with SBE procedure with no complications and it permitted to exclude the presence of lesions in some doubtful cases.Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that EUS with miniprobe UM-3Y, associated with SBE, is an important diagnostic tool for investigating, with high accuracy, small bowel lesions. This can let to establish a better management of small bowel lesions.

Heterogeneous immunoreactivity of axonal spheroids in focal symmetrical encephalomalacia produced by Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin in sheep

Since axonal injury (AI) is an important component of many veterinary neurologic disorders, we assessed the relative ability of a panel of antibodies (amyloid precursor protein, 3 subunits of neurofilament protein, protein gene product 9.5, ubiquitin, and synaptophysin) to detect axonal swellings or spheroids. Abundant axonal spheroids found in necrotic internal capsule foci produced in 4 sheep by chronic Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon neurotoxicity provided a model system in which to evaluate this important diagnostic tool. There was heterogeneous labeling of subsets of spheroids by the respective antibodies, suggesting that, in order to detect the complete spectrum of AI in diagnostic cases, a range of antibodies should be used, not only when spheroids are plentiful but also when they are few in number or incompletely developed. The application of insufficient markers in the latter cases can potentially lead to the contribution of AI to lesion pathogenesis being underappreciated.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PREOPERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY AND ENDOMETRIAL CURETTAGE FROM HYSTERECTOMY SPECIMEN IN PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative curettage biopsy samples and to correlate the ndings with post hysterectomy curettage samples for different endometrial pathologies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2012 to September 2014 in the Department of Pathology in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. Approval from institutional ethical committee was taken before starting the study. Specimens of all perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) who underwent endometrial biopsy and subsequent hysterectomy were studied in the Department of Pathology. Results: A total of 50 cases of clinically diagnosed patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were studied. Preoperative Endometrial curettage biopsy was followed By curettage post-hysterectomy. Biopsy ndings were correlated with post-hysterectomy curettage ndings. The age group of the patients range from 37 years to 53 years with maximum number of cases in the range of 45 to 50 years (38%). Proliferative endometrium was the most common pattern (56%) obtained by endometrial curettage biopsy as well as in post hysterectomy curettage followed by secretory endometrium. Statistical analysis of endometrial biopsy study of 48 cases showed that it has a high Sensitivity (100%), Negative predicted value (100%), Specicity (97.44%) and Positive predicted value (90.91%). The Accuracy of the test was 98%. Conclusions: While endometrial curettage biopsy using uterine curette is not the gold standard for diagnosing endometrial pathologies in AUB, it is an important diagnostic tool in the investigation for assessment of endometrium as it has few advantages.

Evaluation of Patients with Vertigo by Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Background: Vertigo is a symptom that neurologists and otologists are confronted with. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) is used for imaging. Objective: To determine the diagnostic yield of MRI in patients with vertigo and to Identify the most common causes. Patients and Methods: This observational study involved 110 vertigo complaining patients attending the MRI unit of Rizgary teaching hospital examined by 0.2 Tesla MRI between June 2007 and September 2008.Collected variables divided into Group 1 (normal MRI) and Group 2 (abnormal MRI) analysed and compared. Results: Group 1= (70%) and Group 2=(30%), abnormal MRI findings in male patients was (59.6%), in female (40.4%,) the commonest abnormalities were cerebellopontine angle (CPA) space occupying lesions (SOL) (9.2%), cerebellar SOL (7.4%), 4th ventricle SOL (7.4%) and deep white matter ischemia (7.4%), most of patients with vascular problems were more than 50 years. In (35.4%) of patients, vertigo was less than one month duration, (50%) of which had abnormal MRI findings. Out of seven patients with normal MRI, 5 patients showed vascular lesion on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Conclusion: MRI remains important diagnostic tool for evaluation of vertigo and MRA is necessary when vascular origin is suspected.

Applications of Machine Learning in Ambulatory ECG

The ambulatory ECG (AECG) is an important diagnostic tool for many heart electrophysiology-related cases. AECG covers a wide spectrum of devices and applications. At the core of these devices and applications are the algorithms responsible for signal conditioning, ECG beat detection and classification, and event detections. Over the years, there has been huge progress for algorithm development and implementation thanks to great efforts by researchers, engineers, and physicians, alongside the rapid development of electronics and signal processing, especially machine learning (ML). The current efforts and progress in machine learning fields are unprecedented, and many of these ML algorithms have also been successfully applied to AECG applications. This review covers some key AECG applications of ML algorithms. However, instead of doing a general review of ML algorithms, we are focusing on the central tasks of AECG and discussing what ML can bring to solve the key challenges AECG is facing. The center tasks of AECG signal processing listed in the review include signal preprocessing, beat detection and classification, event detection, and event prediction. Each AECG device/system might have different portions and forms of those signal components depending on its application and the target, but these are the topics most relevant and of greatest concern to the people working in this area.

The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasound in Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound

Over the last decades, contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) has emerged as an important diagnostic tool for the diagnosis and differentiation of several gastrointestinal diseases. The key advantage of CH-EUS is that the influx and washout of contrast in the target lesion can be observed in real time, accurately depicting microvasculature. CH-EUS is established as an evidence-based technique complementary to B-mode EUS to differentiate solid appearing structures, to characterize mass lesions, and to improve the staging of gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary cancer. In the last few years, interest has increased in the use of CH-EUS in interventional procedures such as tissue acquisition, tumor ablation, biliary drainage, and the management of pancreatic fluid collections. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the available evidence and future expectations of CH-EUS in interventional EUS.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma Discovered with Point-of-care Ultrasound

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with bilateral lower extremity edema and shortness of breath. She had been seen by her primary care provider. Lab work and a follow-up with endocrinology had been unrevealing. Using point-of-care ultrasound we identified a cystic mass in the right upper quadrant prompting further imaging. Discussion: Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography confirmed a mass in the right posterior liver, which was later identified as an adrenocortical carcinoma. Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool in the setting of lower extremity edema and can be used to assess for heart failure, liver failure, obstructive nephropathy, venous thrombosis, and soft tissue infection. In this case, ultrasound helped expedite the diagnosis and treatment of a rare malignancy.