Safety of a rapid outpatient hydration protocol for patients with renal impairment requiring intravenous iodinated contrast media for computed tomography

INTRODUCTION@#Patients receiving intravenous iodinated contrast media for computed tomography (CT) are predisposed to contrast-induced nephropathy. Chronic kidney disease is an important risk factor, and hydration is the mainstay of prevention. While inpatients can undergo intravenous hydration, limited knowledge exists regarding regimens for outpatients. We employed a rapid outpatient hydration protocol to reduce postponement of imaging appointments for patients with suboptimal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).@*METHODS@#From June 2015, we amended our CT preparation protocol to mandate rapid hydration (oral, intravenous or both) for patients with an eGFR of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m@*RESULTS@#226 outpatients received the hydration protocol, which correlated with a 95% reduction in postponement of imaging appointments. No complications of fluid overload from hydration were encountered. A significant association was observed between age and decrease in eGFR, but this was not significant when stratified by drop in eGFR category. No statistical significance was found between decrease in eGFR and gender or race. Higher baseline eGFR was less likely to be associated with decrease in eGFR after imaging. Type of hydration was not related to a drop in eGFR category for patients with an eGFR of 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m@*CONCLUSION@#We defined a shorter hydration regimen that is safe to use in the outpatient setting.

Clinics in diagnostic imaging (176). Acute embolic occlusion of the coeliac artery

A 52-year-old man, who had a background of chronic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, as well as non-compliance with warfarin therapy, presented with a two-week history of worsening upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography mesenteric angiography showed complete embolic occlusion of the coeliac artery with resultant segmental splenic infarction, and thrombus within the left ventricle. A decision was made to proceed with catheter-directed thrombolysis. Subsequent follow-up angiogram at 12 hours showed successful treatment with complete dissolution of the coeliac embolus. The patient's symptoms resolved during his hospitalisation and he was subsequently discharged well on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. Isolated acute embolic occlusion of the coeliac axis is a rare occurrence that may result in end-organ infarction. Treatment options include systemic anti-coagulation, mechanical thrombectomy, catheter thrombolysis or open surgery. Catheter-directed thrombolysis therapy is a feasible and effective option for treating acute thromboembolic occlusion of the coeliac artery.

Thymic carcinoma presenting with an unusual and delayed metastasis to the neural foramen, mimicking thoracic spinal radiculopathy

We report a case of metastatic thymic carcinoma which presented as an enhancing mass located in the neural foramen of the thoracic spine. More common tumours which arise in the neural foramen would include a neurogenic tumour or developmental anomalies such as a foregut duplication cyst. This case is singular firstly because the lesion present as radiculopathy which mimics a neurogenic tumour. Secondly, the presentation was unusually delayed as the patient presented to our centre more than a decade after the resection of the primary tumour in another institution.

An uncommon case of haemorrhagic enteric fever treated successfully with super-selective embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol particles and coils

Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to enteric fever is uncommon and potentially fatal. The majority of patients recover with conservative treatment, with surgery reserved for life-threatening bleeding. Given the advances in radiologically guided procedures, there have been numerous reports of successful embolisation for gastrointestinal haemorrhage, although few of these involved enteric fever as the causative agent. We report an uncommon case of haemorrhagic enteric fever treated successfully with embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol particles and coils.

Effectiveness of an algorithm in reducing the number of unnecessary ultrasound scans for deep vein thrombosis: an evaluation report

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) pose a diagnostic dilemma to the Emergency Department (ED) clinician. This study aimed to implement a known algorithm incorporating the modified Wells criteria and D-dimer testing to guide the ED clinician, thus reducing unnecessary ultrasound scans (USS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients who presented to the ED between August 2008 and April 2009 with suspected DVT underwent Wells scoring. Those with scores < 2 were deemed unlikely to have DVT and underwent D-dimer testing first. Patients with scores ≥ 2 were regarded as likely to have DVT and underwent urgent USS. USS findings were tabulated as positive or negative/indeterminate for DVT. The latter group was followed up for one year to check whether DVT was missed during the initial USS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>75 patients presented with suspected DVT and underwent USS. Of these, 14 results were positive and 61 were negative. 37 patients had Wells scores < 2, with three (8.1%) having DVT. Another 38 patients had Wells scores ≥ 2, with 11 (28.9%) having DVT. D-dimer testing was performed on 27 of the 75 patients. Those with DVT had higher average values compared to those without DVT (1.305 vs. 0.595 µg/ml). The majority of patients with raised D-dimer values had cellulitis, although three also had DVT (with values ≥ 0.99 µg/ml).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We managed to reduce the number of unnecessary USS and increase the pick-up rate of DVT. A cut-off score ≥ 2 in our algorithm is suitable for use in the ED setting.</p>