Determining the Impact of Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy on Short-‎term Postoperative Outcomes of Pediatric ‎Tonsillectomy Patients in Egypt

Background: Tonsillectomy is considered one of the most common major operations performed in pediatric population. Unfortunately, tonsillectomy is often associated with severe pain that may delay the patient discharge and influence his ability to return to the normal daily activities together with a 2–4% risk of hemorrhage. Among promising healing promoting agents is Platelet-rich plasma (PRP). It is considered as a potential adjuvant therapy improving the healing of surgical wounds and contains multiple growth and healing factors that are released upon their activation. Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled study carried on forty patients who underwent tonsillectomy alone or adenotonsillectomy. In each patient, PRP was used on one side " test side " and other side was used as a control. The test side was randomly allocated in all patients, so the results will be of the 40 patients, total sides 80, (test side 40; 20 right side and 20 left side). Results: Our results revealed that mucosal healing was noted to be better in PRP treated side, particularly on 5th and 10th post-operative day, with documented less incidence of secondary post-operative hemorrhage. Pain scores were less on the PRP treated side through the post-operative period, but were statistically significant only on the 5th day postoperative. Conclusions: The preliminary results from this study, supported by literature, have revealed that PRP was beneficial in the amelioration of post-tonsillectomy pain, improvement of healing and bleeding risk in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

Life-Threatening Retroperitoneal Hematoma in a Patient with COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that affects the human body in many different ways. The disease carries both thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, especially in those patients who are anticoagulated to prevent the thromboembolic manifestations. In this report, we discuss a case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage in a patient treated with therapeutic anticoagulation which ultimately led to the patient’s death. The literature highlights the importance of anticoagulation because it reduces mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Although, more recent studies suggest that patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation are at a higher risk of hemorrhage and increased mortality. Therefore, our case stresses the importance of active monitoring of these patients to detect any suspected case of hemorrhage early to reduce mortality. Overall, more research should be conducted to determine the optimal dosing of anticoagulation that balances safety and efficacy.

Interventional outcomes for patients eligible for entry into the ARUBA clinical trial: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA) suggested that medical management afforded outcomes superior to those following intervention for unruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), but its findings have been controversial. Subsequent studies of AVMs that would have met the eligibility requirements of ARUBA have supported intervention for the management of some cases. The present meta-analysis was conducted with the object of summarizing interventional outcomes for ARUBA-eligible patients reported in the literature. METHODS A systematic literature search (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar) for AVM intervention studies that used inclusion criteria identical to those of ARUBA (age ≥ 18 years, no history of AVM hemorrhage, no prior intervention) was performed. The primary outcome was death or symptomatic stroke. Secondary outcomes included AVM obliteration, hemorrhage, death, and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 2 at final follow-up). Bias assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and the results were synthesized as pooled proportions. RESULTS Of the 343 articles identified through database searches, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding an overall study cohort of 1909 patients. The primary outcome occurred in 11.2% of patients (pooled = 11%, 95% CI 8%–13%). The rates of AVM obliteration, hemorrhage, poor outcome, and death were 72.7% (pooled = 78%, 95% CI 70%–85%), 8.4% (pooled = 8%, 95% CI 6%–11%), 9.9% (pooled = 10%, 95% CI 7%–13%), and 3.5% (pooled = 2%, 95% CI 1%–4%), respectively. Annualized primary outcome and hemorrhage risks were 1.85 (pooled = 2.05, 95% CI 1.31–2.94) and 1.34 (pooled = 1.41, 95% CI 0.83–2.13) per 100 patient-years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Intervention for unruptured AVMs affords acceptable outcomes for appropriately selected patients. The risk of hemorrhage following intervention compared favorably to the natural history of unruptured AVMs. The included studies were retrospective and varied in treatment and AVM characteristics, thereby limiting the generalizability of their data. Future studies from prospective registries may clarify patient, nidus, and intervention selection criteria that will refine the challenging management of patients with unruptured AVMs.

Heparin and Arginine Based Plasmin Nanoformulation for Ischemic Stroke Therapy

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and thrombolytic therapy is the only approved treatment. However, current thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is often hampered by the increased risk of hemorrhage. Plasmin, a direct fibrinolytic, has a significantly superior hemostatic safety profile; however, if injected intravenously it becomes rapidly inactivated by anti-plasmin. Nanoformulations have been shown to increase drug stability and half-life and hence could be applied to increase the plasmin therapeutic efficacy. Here in this paper, we report a novel heparin and arginine-based plasmin nanoformulation that exhibits increased plasmin stability and efficacy. In vitro studies revealed significant plasmin stability in the presence of anti-plasmin and efficient fibrinolytic activity. In addition, these particles showed no significant toxicity or oxidative stress effects in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, and no significant blood brain barrier permeability. Further, in a mouse photothrombotic stroke model, plasmin nanoparticles exhibited significant efficacy in reducing stroke volume without overt intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared to free plasmin treatment. The study shows the potential of a plasmin nanoformulation in ischemic stroke therapy.

Anticoagulation in cancer-associated thromboembolism with thrombocytopenia: a prospective, multi-center cohort study

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) with concurrent thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in patients with cancer. Therapeutic anticoagulation in the setting of thrombocytopenia is associated with a high risk of hemorrhage. Retrospective analyses suggest the utility of modified-dose anticoagulation in this population. To assess the incidence of hemorrhage or thrombosis according to anticoagulation strategy, we performed a prospective, multi-center, observational study. Patients with active malignancy, acute VTE, and concurrent thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/µL) were enrolled. The cumulative incidences of hemorrhage or recurrent VTE were determined considering death as a competing risk. Primary outcomes were centrally adjudicated and comparisons made according to initial treatment with full-dose or modified-dose anticoagulation. A total of 121 patients were enrolled at six hospitals. Seventy-five patients were initially treated with full-dose anticoagulation (62%), 33 (27%) with modified-dose anticoagulation, while 13 (11%) received no anticoagulation. Most patients who received modified-dose anticoagulation had a hematologic malignancy (31 of 33, 94%) and an acute DVT (28 of 33, 85%). In patients who initially received full-dose anticoagulation, the cumulative incidence of major hemorrhage at 60 days was 12.8% (95% CI, 4.9-20.8%) and 6.6% (95% CI, 2.4-15.7%) in those who received modified-dose anticoagulation (Fine-Gray HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.21-3.93). The cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE at 60 days in patients who initially received full-dose anticoagulation was 5.6% (95% CI, 0.2-11%) and 0% in patients who received modified-dose anticoagulation. In conclusion, modified-dose anticoagulation appears to be a safe alternative to therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with cancer who develop DVT in the setting of thrombocytopenia.

Manajemen Anestesi pada Seksio Sesarea dengan Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Serial kasus

Trombositopenia merupakan perubahan hemostasis yang umum terjadi pada wanita hamil, namun jarang ditemukan kondisi berat. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) merupakan salah satu penyebab trombositopenia pada wanita hamil. ITP ditandai dengan peningkatan penghancuran trombosit oleh antibodi immunoglobulin G (IgG) yang dapat meningkatkan risiko perdarahan pada pasien dan fetus. Kami melaporkan tiga kasus wanita hamil dengan ITP yang akan dilakukan tindakan seksio sesarea. Satu pasien menjalani seksio sesarea emergency dengan trombosit 4000 dan dua pasien menjalani seksio sesarea elektif. Pasien seksio sesarea elektif diberikan transfusi trombosit perioperatif terlebih dahulu. Ketiga pasien menjalani prosedur seksio sesarea dengan teknik anestesi general. Pemantauan perdarahan dilakukan selama sampai dengan setelah operasi. Kondisi postoperatif pasien baik dan dirawat di ruang intensive care unit (ICU). Case Series: Anesthesia Management in Caesarean Section with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Abstract Thrombocytopenia is the most common hemostatic change in pregnancy, but severe thrombocytopenia is rare. One of the causes, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), is characterized by increased platelet destruction by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, presenting a high risk of hemorrhage for the patient, but also the fetus, since antibodies may cross the placenta. We report three cases of pregnant women with ITP undergoing cesarean section. One patient underwent emergency cesarean section with a platelet of 4000 and two patients underwent elective cesarean. Patients with elective cesarean section were given the first perioperative platelet transfusion. The cesarean section procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Bleeding monitoring is carried out during up to after surgery.

Coagulopathy in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Can We Go Beyond Supportive Care?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by frequent complications due to a distinct coagulopathy. While advances in treatments have improved long-term survival, hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications remain the most common causes of death and morbidity. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of the coagulopathy associated with APL may lead to therapeutic interventions to mitigate the risk of hemorrhage and thrombosis.

Reevaluation of the Correlations between Ultrasound Features of Thyroid Nodules and Grades of Bethesda Classification

AIM: To reevaluate the correlations between ultrasound (US) features of thyroid nodules (THNs) and grades of Bethesda classification, to select correctly the patients who must undergo fine needle aspiration (FNAB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we have included 260 cytologies of thyroid gland between the period of 2014–2018. The procedures are performed at radiology department of Hygeia Hospital. In our study are excluded the cases with a high risk of hemorrhage and the patients which did not accept the anesthetic procedure because of anxiety. The study includes only the first punctions with their respective Bethesda classification and not repeated FNAB cases. First using the z test, we compared the percentage occupied by the Bethesda categories that are indicative of surgery (BIV + BV + BVI) at US features that suspect malignancy (hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, abnormal contours, central vascularization), with the percentage occupied by group (BIV + BV + BVI) at the US features which indicate benignity (hyperechoic, no microcalcifications, peripheral vascularization, cystic-solidocystic, spongiform, normal contours). Furthermore, We have evaluated utilizing the odds ratio if there was a correlation between TR4 and TR5 categories in ACR/TIRADS classification and the categories (BIV+BV+BVI) for any statistical significance. The significance of the dimensions of the nodule was tested as an indicator for surgical intervention. For this purpose, the percentage occupied by the nodules with a diameter larger than 1.5 cm at (BIV + BV + BVI) group was compared with the percentage occupied by nodules smaller than 1.5 cm at BIV + BV + BVI. In addition, we observed if there was a strong statistical connection between nodules larger than 1.5 cm and the Bethesda categories that suggested malignancy. There was no statistical test made for the features “taller than wide” and microcalcifications because of the small number of cases. It was also made a comparison of percentages (BIV + BV + BVI) even for three clinical features: Men versus women, solitary nodule versus multinodular goiter, left lobe versus right lobe. We compared the percentages occupied by the (BIV + BV + BVI) group of categories in patients over 45 years old with the percentages occupied by this group at patients younger than 45 years old. We also noted which of Bethesda categories is more frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The features that are more indicative for FNAB are hypoechogenicity, consistency, intranodal vascularization, and extralobar positioning. If a THN has one of the above features and has a dimension of more than 10 mm, it has an indication for FNAB. Indications for FNAB increase with the increasing of the abovementioned features of a THN. The combination of US features that suggest malignancy, TR4 and TR5, with BIII category is a strong indicator for surgical intervention. The results of this study are similar with the results of prior studies, and we could not distinguish any specific US feature that has an absolute indication for FNAB. The appropriate determination of the US features of a THN in correlation with the patient’s clinic information will determine the proper indication for a FNAB.