Development of a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients: RETRASCORE

Background Severity scores are commonly used for outcome adjustment and benchmarking of trauma care provided. No specific models performed only with critically ill patients are available. Our objective was to develop a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients. Methods This is a retrospective study using the Spanish Trauma ICU registry (RETRAUCI) 2015–2019. Patients were divided and analysed into the derivation (2015–2017) and validation sets (2018–2019). We used as candidate variables to be associated with mortality those available in RETRAUCI that could be collected in the first 24 h after ICU admission. Using logistic regression methodology, a simple score (RETRASCORE) was created with points assigned to each selected variable. The performance of the model was carried out according to global measures, discrimination and calibration. Results The analysis included 9465 patients: derivation set 5976 and validation set 3489. Thirty-day mortality was 12.2%. The predicted probability of 30-day mortality was determined by the following equation: 1/(1 + exp (− y)), where y = 0.598 (Age 50–65) + 1.239 (Age 66–75) + 2.198 (Age > 75) + 0.349 (PRECOAG) + 0.336 (Pre-hospital intubation) + 0.662 (High-risk mechanism) + 0.950 (unilateral mydriasis) + 3.217 (bilateral mydriasis) + 0.841 (Glasgow ≤ 8) + 0.495 (MAIS-Head) − 0.271 (MAIS-Thorax) + 1.148 (Haemodynamic failure) + 0.708 (Respiratory failure) + 0.567 (Coagulopathy) + 0.580 (Mechanical ventilation) + 0.452 (Massive haemorrhage) − 5.432. The AUROC was 0.913 (0.903–0.923) in the derivation set and 0.929 (0.918–0.940) in the validation set. Conclusions The newly developed RETRASCORE is an early, easy-to-calculate and specific score to predict in-hospital mortality in trauma ICU patients. Although it has achieved adequate internal validation, it must be externally validated.

A Pediatric Case of Benign Episodic Unilateral Mydriasis with Clinical Characteristics Resembling Tadpole Pupil

Benign episodic unilateral mydriasis is an episodic disturbance with dilatation of the entire pupil, often lasting for hours. It occurs most frequently in women aged between 20 and 50 years and is closely associated with migraines. Only a few pediatric cases have been reported. The demographics of benign unilateral mydriasis correspond to another episodic disturbance of the pupil, the tadpole pupil. Also, the clinical similarities between the two conditions are numerous. However, tadpole pupil is an irregular distortion of the pupil lasting from seconds to minutes and occurring in clusters. We present a 16-year-old girl with benign unilateral mydriasis and migraine. Her episodes of mydriasis lasted from seconds to minutes, occurred in clusters, and were thus like episodes of tadpole pupil. Benign unilateral mydriasis presenting this way has not been reported previously. This observation links the phenotypes of benign unilateral mydriasis and tadpole pupil closer together. The given case provides new knowledge as it (i) expands the clinical spectrum of benign episodic unilateral mydriasis, (ii) links the phenotypes of benign unilateral mydriasis and tadpole pupil together, and (iii) in comparison with knowledge about autonomic failure in migraine patients may add to hypotheses on pathophysiology in both pupillary disorders.

Development of a New Score for Early Mortality Prediction in Trauma ICU patients. RETRASCORE

BackgroundSeverity scores are commonly used for outcome adjustment and benchmarking of trauma care provided. No specific models performed only with critically ill patients are available. Our objective was to develop a new score for early mortality prediction in trauma ICU patients.MethodsRetrospective study using the Spanish Trauma ICU registry (RETRAUCI) 2015-2019. Patients were divided and analysed into the derivation (2015-2017) and validation sets (2018-2019). We used as candidate variables to be associated with mortality those available in RETRAUCI that could be collected in the first 24 hours after ICU admission. Using logistic regression methodology, a simple score (RETRASCORE) was created with points assigned to each selected variable. The performance of the model was carried out according to global measures, discrimination and calibration.ResultsThe analysis included 9465 patients. Derivation set 5976 and validation set 3489. Thirty-day mortality was 12.2%. The predicted probability of 30-day mortality was determined by the following equation: 1 / (1+exp (-y)), where y=0.598 (Age 50–65) + 1.239 (Age 66–75) + 2.198 (Age > 75) + 0.349 (PRECOAG) + 0.336 (Pre-hospital intubation) + 0.662 (High risk mechanism) + 0.950 (unilateral mydriasis) + 3.217 (bilateral mydriasis) + 0.841 (Glasgow ≤ 8) + 0.495 (MAIS-Head) - 0.271 (MAIS-Thorax) + 1.148 (Hemodynamic failure) + 0.708 (Respiratory failure) + 0.567 (Coagulopathy) + 0.580 (Mechanical ventilation) + 0.452 (Massive haemorrhage) - 5.432. The AUROC was 0.913 (0.903-0.923) in the derivation set and 0.929 (0.918-0.940) in the validation set.ConclusionsThe newly developed RETRASCORE is an early, easy-to-calculate and specific score to predict in-hospital mortality in trauma ICU patients. Although it has achieved adequate internal validation, it must be externally validated.

LAT gel? Occhio!

The paper describes a case of a 17-month-old child with acute unilateral mydriasis after minor head trauma that was attributable to the local application of lidocaine-tetracaine-adrenaline (LAT) gel. The possible differential diagnoses of acute anisocoria are also discussed.

Ciliary Ganglioplegic Migraine Associated with SACS Mutation

Migraine patients often complain of repeated attacks of monocular visual disturbance including scintillations, scotomas, blindness and pupillary dysfunction. Temporary pupillary enlargement of the ipsilateral side during migraine attack, although rarely reported, is referred to as an Adie’s-like tonic pupil [1]. Adie’s tonic pupil is caused by denervation of the postganglionic parasympathetic pupillary nerves, with light-near dissociation, and cholinergic supersensitivity. Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is characterized by early-onset spastic ataxia, peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, and pyramidal symptoms. ARSACS is caused by mutations in the SACS gene, which encodes the Sacsin expressed in various tissues including brain motor systems. Sacsin is believed to integrate the ubiquitin-proteasome system and Hsp70 chaperone machinery, which are important components of the cellular response associated with neurodegenerative diseases [2]. Here, we describe a patient suffering from chronic migraine without aura who developed cerebellar ataxia and unilateral mydriasis during acute migraine persisted after resolved headache. Presence of a SACS gene mutation is an expansion of the clinical phenotype associated with SACS mutations to ciliary ganglioplegic migraine. A 47-year-old female who suffers from long standing headache developed unsteady gait and poor coordination. With a diagnosis of migraine without aura based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III) criteria, she was prescribed preventive medicine with topiramate and onabotulinumtoxinA injection on occasion. Physical examination revealed a dilated pupil in the left eye without reflexive constriction to light or accommodation which persisted after resolution of migraine. Except for anisocoria, no other abnormal findings were identified. Remarkable reduction of the left pupil size was observed in response to 0.125% pilocarpine (Figure 1). The patient also showed mild nonataxic spastic paraplegia but without distal weakness or pyramidal signs. A family history of migraine headache and other neurological disorders was denied. Nerve conduction studies confirmed the mixed demyelinating and axonal character of polyneuropathy. Brain MRI with angiography did not reveal any abnormalities.

Assumed hemorrhagic stroke in a emergency of inland hospital: a case report

Context: Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is characterized by cerebral vessel´s rupture, causing potentially fatal hemorrhage. Approximately 20% of HS are due to spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, being risk factors: age over 55, systemic arterial hypertension, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and alcoholism. Case Report: Male, 84 years old, previously hypertensive, is brought by family members after being found unconscious. He was admitted to hypertensive emergency room, with irregular respiratory rate, anisochoric pupils (mydriasis on the right) non-photoreactive, Glasgow Coma Scale 3 and urinary loss. He was intubated without complications and later developed bradycardia (44 bpm), keeping hypertensive (160/90 mmHg), suggesting Cushing´s Triad (CT). Capillary bloody glucose of 98 mg/dl and laboratory tests showing: hemoglobin 9,3; platelets 184000; negative troponin; urea 52; creatinine 1.7; sodium 136; potassium 3.9. Due to the abrupt installation in a previously hypertensive patient, with unilateral mydriasis on physical examination and the development of CT, the diagnostic hypothesis were HS associated with intracranial hypertension. A skull´s scancomputed tomography or lumbar puncture were not requested because were unavailable at hospital. Patient was removed to a specialized servisse, 12 hours after arrival. Conclusion: Mortality after stroke is known to be substantially lower when patients are treated in high-volume regional centers and have access to qualified interventionists who specialize in neuro-intensive treatment. As it is a servisse without resources for definitive treatment, the patient was stabilized in the best way within the hospital condition, with priority being the removal of the patient as soon as possible, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality

Unilateral mydriasis in a child with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for obstructive hydrocephalus: a diagnostic dilemma

There are several causes for sudden onset unilateral mydriasis, however impending transtentorial uncal herniation needs to be ruled out. This unique case highlights an uncommon adverse response to a common mode of treatment that leads to a diagnostic dilemma. A 3-year-old boy with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for an obstructive hydrocephalus presented with an acute respiratory distress. He developed unilateral mydriasis with absent light reflex during treatment with nebulisers. An urgent CT scan of the brain did not show any new intracranial abnormality. A case of pharmacological anisocoria was diagnosed that resolved completely within 24 hours of discontinuation of ipratropium bromide. Although ipratropium-induced anisocoria has been reported in children, but to our knowledge none in a child with VP shunt for hydrocephalus. This emphasises the urgency in evaluating unilateral mydriasis to rule out life-threatening conditions. Clinicians should remember that ipratropium administered through ill-fitting face masks could cause this completely reversible adverse effect.