Role of Computed Tomography in Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Introduction: Blunt abdominal trauma is one of the commonly encountered surgical emergencies. The diagnostic modality that helps in optimum management of these patients includes chest and abdominal x-rays, Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma scan and Computed Tomography. In selected hemodynamically stable patients who are candidates for non-operative management, Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography is not considered essential and hence avoiding its own radiation hazards and decreasing extra financial burden to the patients. Aims: To evaluate whether Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography is necessary or not in case of blunt trauma abdomen. Methods: This is a hospital based prospective study done in the department of surgery at Nepalgunj Medical College, Kohalpur conducted from October 2020 to March 2021. The patients with blunt abdominal trauma who were hemodynamically stable at the time of presentation and those who became stable after resuscitation were included. These patient’s detailed history was taken, clinical examination done. Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma scan was done at the time of presentation along with chest x-ray and other necessary blood investigation. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of total 53 patients, age group between 11-20 and 21-30 years comprising of 13 patients with male: female ratio of 1.94:1 were affected more. Fall injury, being the most common mode, comprised 20 patients. The commonest organ involved was spleen seen in 17 patients (32.1%), liver in 16 patients (30.2%). In 44 (83.0%) patients, Computed Tomography scan was done only in nine patients who were also managed conservatively, except one who underwent laparoscopic evacuation of collected blood. Seventeen (32.1%) patients underwent repeat ultrasonography without any new findings. Conclusion: Patients with blunt abdominal trauma with stable hemodynamics can be managed conservatively with limited use of Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography scan.

Splenic Infarction in a COVID-19 Patient without Respiratory Symptoms

High rates of thromboembolic events have been seen in cases of COVID-19. Here, we report a case of 23-year-old previously healthy female presented with left-sided abdominal pain associated with vomiting. The computed tomography scan showed multiple ill-defined wedge-shaped low attenuating areas of the spleen, suggesting splenic infarction. In the absence of other thromboembolic contributing factors, we believe this was a thromboembolic event in splenic circulation in relation to COVID-19 infection. Our case adds to the evidence of an arterial thrombotic event in a noncritical COVID-19 patient, emphasizing the importance of addressing thromboembolism diagnosis and management measures to avoid potentially deadly consequences.

Correction: Yau et al. Risk Factors for Early Return Visits to the Emergency Department in Patients Presenting with Nonspecific Abdominal Pain and the Use of Computed Tomography Scan. Healthcare 2021, 9, 1470

The authors would like to make corrections to their published paper [...]

The broad spectrum of COVID-like patients initially negative at RT-PCR testing: a cohort study

Background Patients that arrive in the emergency department (ED) with COVID-19-like syndromes testing negative at the first RT-PCR represent a clinical challenge because of the lack of evidence about their management available in the literature. Our first aim was to quantify the proportion of patients testing negative at the first RT-PCR performed in our Emergency Department (ED) that were confirmed as having COVID-19 at the end of hospitalization by clinical judgment or by any subsequent microbiological testing. Secondly, we wanted to identify which variables that were available in the first assessment (ED variables) would have been useful in predicting patients, who at the end of the hospital stay were confirmed as having COVID-19 (false-negative at the first RT-PCR). Methods We retrospectively collected data of 115 negative patients from2020, March 1st to 2020, May 15th. Three experts revised patients’ charts collecting information on the whole hospital stay and defining patients as COVID-19 or NOT-COVID-19. We compared ED variables in the two groups by univariate analysis and logistic regression. Results We classified 66 patients as COVID-19 and identified the other 49 as having a differential diagnosis (NOT-COVID), with a concordance between the three experts of 0.77 (95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.66- 0.73). Only 15% of patients tested positive to a subsequent RT-PCR test, accounting for 25% of the clinically suspected. Having fever (odds ratio (OR) 3.32, (95%CI 0.97-12.31), p = 0.06), showing a typical pattern at the first lung ultrasound (OR 6.09, (95%CI 0.87-54.65), p = 0.08) or computed tomography scan (OR 4.18, (95%CI 1.11-17.86), p = 0.04) were associated with a higher probability of having COVID-19. Conclusions In patients admitted to ED with COVID-19 symptoms and negative RT-PCR a comprehensive clinical evaluation integrated with lung ultrasound and computed tomography could help to detect COVID-19 patients with a false negative RT-PCR result.

Vascular and neurosensory evaluation in relation to lingual canal anatomy after mandibular midline implant installation in edentulous patients

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate vascular and neurosensory complications in edentulous patients following the installation of mandibular midline single implants in relation to lingual canals. Materials and methods After performing a cone beam computed tomography scan for the 50 recruited patients, the relationship between the potential implant site and the lingual canals was assessed, and all vascular and neurosensory complications were recorded. Results Six patients (12%) reported profuse bleeding during implant placement, and 13 (26%) reported transient neurosensory changes, which were resolved after 3 months. According to the virtual implant planning, 44 patients (88%) would have their implants touching the lingual canals, six of them reported vascular changes (14%), and 12 out of 44 patients reported neurosensory changes (27%). For the six patients who would have their implants not touching the lingual canals, one patient reported transient neurosensory changes. Conclusions The mandibular lingual canals are constant anatomic landmarks. Injury to the supra-spinosum lingual canals may occur during midline implant placement, depending on the implant length and the bone height. Clinical relevance Despite that injury to the supra-spinosum lingual canals during implant insertion does not result in permanent vascular or neurosensory complications, caution is required to avoid the perforation of the lingual cortices.

Severe Thoracic Vertebral Spine Injury as a Complication of Component of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Chest compression has been a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) since 1960. Performance of high-quality CPR is critical for survival; however, chest compressions are traumatic and may result in injuries such as rib and sternal fractures. Spinal fractures have rarely been reported. We present a case of a 69-year-old male who suffered a cardiac arrest at home. He underwent 16 minutes of CPR with manual chest compressions, and no electrical shock and medications with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Computed tomography scan showed unstable fracture of T9-T10. The patient was transferred to our Level I trauma center for continued post-arrest management and neurosurgical evaluation. An MRI confirmed the unstable spinal fracture which would have required surgical stabilization. The patient remained comatose, thus he was transitioned to comfort measures and expired. Spinal injuries following CPR are rare but should be considered in the post-arrest management stage. Computed tomography scan is the ideal screening modality.

Life-Threatening Mediastinal Teratoma of Infant Requiring Emergency Surgical Removal

Background Teratoma is a tumor derived from fetal germ cells with aberrant differentiation. Case Description A 3-month-old infant with a mediastinal tumor was referred to our heart center. She presented with progressive dyspnea, cyanosis, and the need to be manually ventilated. The computed tomography scan displayed a huge tumor restricting the distal trachea including the bifurcation. An emergent operation was performed and the tumor was completely removed. Histological examination confirmed a mature teratoma. Conclusion In such life-threatening situation, the early detection and the immediate operation are very important for the management of rapidly-progressing mediastinal teratomas compressing the respiratory tract.

LAMN as a differential diagnosis for abdominal pain: a case report from Syria

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) are papillary or flat mucinous tumors with low-grade cytologic atypia found in &lt;0.3% of appendectomy specimens among older population. They are the most frequent source of pseudomyxoma peritonei. They can be easily misdiagnosed, due to unspecific symptoms, with acute appendicitis, retroperitoneal tumors or adnexal mass. Macroscopically, the appendix may appear normal or be variably dilated. Microscopic study determines whether the studied specimen is LAMN or mucinous adenocarcinomas. We report a 77-year-old patient presented with 15-day abdominal pain accompanied with chills and hyperthermia. Decision was made for right hemicolectomy as a result of the findings on ultrasound and computed tomography scan. Diagnosis was made after the pathologic study, which revealedLAMN.