Apport du scanner thoracique dans le dépistage des cas suspects de COVID-19 au Service d'imagerie médicale du Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire (CHU) de Libreville - Gabon / Contribution of chest ct-scan in the screening of suspected cases of COVID-19 at the Medical Imaging Department

Objectifs.Evaluer l'apport de la TDM thoracique dans le diagnostic de la COVID-19 chez les patients suspects en prenant comme référence le Test RT ­PCR et secondairement déterminer les anomalies scanographiques caractéristiques associés au Test RT ­PCR.Matériels etméthodes.Il s'est agi d'une étude rétrospective, descriptive à visée analytique, menée au service d'imagerie du CHU de Libreville. Aux vues de la disponibilité des dossiers nous avons exploité ceux de la période d'activité de mars à juin 2020, soit une période quatre mois. Cette étude a inclus tous les patients ayant une infection à COVID-19 confirmée par la réaction de polymérase en chaine en temps réel (RT ­PCR), après écouvillonnages nasal et/ou pharyngé et / ou les signes typiques de la pneumonie à COVID-19. Pour déterminer les anomalies scanographiques caractéristiques de la COVID-19 associées au test RT ­PCR nous avons comparé 25 patients avec un test RT ­PCR négatifs et 119 patients avec un test RT ­PCR positifs. Une valeur de p < 0,05 était considérée comme significative. La sensibilité de la TDM thoracique a été calculée à l'aide de la relation, Sensibilité=VP/ (VP+FN), (VP : vrai positif de la TDM : TDM positive et test RT PCR positif ; et le FN : Faux négatif de la TDM : TDM négative et test RT PCR positif). L'analyse statistique a été rendu possible grâce au logiciel SPSS 25. Résultats. En régression logistique multivariée, les anomalies scanographiques caractéristiques de la COVID-19 positivement associés à un test RT ­PCR positif étaient :verre dépoliOR = 33,236, IC95% [6,939 ­59,192], p=0,0001), la condensation alvéolaire (OR = 8,093 [1,488 ­44,013]; p=0,016). La sensibilité du scanner thoracique pour le diagnostic de la COVID-19, chez les patients suspects était de 93,2%, la spécificité de 64,2% avec une valeur prédictive positive de 90,2% et une valeur prédictive négative de 73,0%.Conclusion.Le diagnostic scanographique de la COVID-19 chez les patients suspects est aisé avec une bonne sensibilité et spécificité. La présence des anomalies scanographiques caractéristiques à type de verre dépoli et de condensation alvéolaire est associéeà un test RT ­PCR positif

Objective. Evaluate the contribution of Thoracic CT in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patients by taking the RT ­PCR Test as a reference and secondarily determine the impact of the RT ­PCR Test on characteristic scan abnormalities, in the service of thoracic imaging at Libreville University Hospital.Materials and methods. This was a retrospective, descriptive study with an analytical aim. In view of the availability of files, we used those from the period of activity from March to June 2020, i.e. a four-month period. To determine the impact of the RT ­PCR test on characteristic scan abnormalities, we compared 25 patients with negative RT ­PCR and 119 patients with negative RT ­PCR. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. The sensitivity of chestCT was calculated using the relationship, Sensitivity=VP/(VP+FN), (VP: true positive of CT: positive CT and positive RT PCR test; and FN: False negative CT: negative CT and positive RT PCR test). Statistical analysis was made possible using SPSS 25 software.Results. In multivariate logistic regression, CT abnormalities characteristic of COVID-19 were positively associated with a positive RT ­PCR: ground glass, (OR = 33.236, 95% CI [6.939 ­59.192], p = 0.0001), condensation alveolar (OR = 8.093 [1.488 ­44.013]; p = 0.016). The sensitivity of chest CT for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patients was 93.2%, the specificity of 64.2% with a positive predictive value of 90.2% and a negative predictive value of 73. 0%.Conclusion. CT diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patients is easy with good sensitivity and specificity. The presence of characteristic scan abnormalities such as ground glass and alveolar condensation is associated with a positive RT ­PCR tes

Sensitivity and specificity of digital rectal examination for the diagnosis of prostate cancer at the Kano teaching hospital: A Comparative analysis

Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common non-cutaneous cancer among males and the fourth most common cause of cancer in males globally. Unfortunately, Sub-Saharan Africa lacks the relevant resources and organized screening program that has led to the late presentations in the region. Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a test commonly used to screen for prostate carcinoma and is by far the oldest and cheapest modality available for screening. Objective: We hypothesized that digital rectal examination has a correlation to the diagnosis of prostate cancer. This study was meant to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of DRE in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and compare the outcome to published data. Methodology:This is a prospective study conducted at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital involving 87 symptomatic patients who were screened for prostate cancer (2014). Patient with DRE suspicious of malignancy i.e. (nodular, hard, asymmetrical prostate) or PSA>4ng/ml despite the prostate consistency were included in the study. The digital rectal exams were performed in a lateral decubital position to assess the prostate consistency and underwent transrectal ultrasound guided sextant biopsy for histological diagnosis. Results: There was a total of 87 participants that underwent DRE in the study with age range from 50 ­ 96 years. Univariate analysis showed a mean age of 68.1 years with standard deviation of (SD +9.4). The detection rate of prostate cancer was 28.7%. Bivariate analysis of DRE to diagnosis of prostate cancer showed a sensitivity of 68.0% and specificity of 83.9%. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 63.0% and 86.7% respectively. The study showed some evidence of a relationship between DRE and the diagnosis of prostate cancer with a (Pearson Chi Square Test=23.4, df=1,) with a statistical significance (p=<0.001).Conclusion: PSA and Digital rectal exam combined have a higher sensitivity in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, DRE alone has a lower sensitivity but a much higher specificity in the diagnosis of CaP. DRE still has a role in the diagnosis of CaP because it is minimally invasive, cheaper and can detect some prostate cancers that are missed by PSA screening.

Value of dynamic subtraction MRI in assessing HCC response to image-guided loco-regional therapy

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered one of the foremost cancers worldwide. Although the hepatic resection of HCC has a high existence in the clinical scenarios, locoregional management is preferred owing to the preservation of hepatic parenchyma with lower morbidity and mortality. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR with subtraction imaging improves the evaluation of managed HCC with easy detection of residual or recurrent viable lesions. Patients and methods: This study was designed in a retrospective pattern from December 2020 to December 2022. Forty patients were referred to our radiology department with solitary HCC, underwent therapeutic intervention, then underwent follow-up by dynamic MRI study. Results: Forty patients with solitary HCC were conducted during our study; all underwent locoregional therapy with follow-up by dynamic MRI with subtraction technique one month later. The subtraction image has a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 100%, and 100% accuracy, compared to 90.91%, 77.78%, 83.33%, 87.5%, and 85% for conventional dynamic images, 45.45%, 100%, 100%, 60% and 70% for diffusion-weighted images. Analysis of those results exhibited a considerable additive value of the subtraction technique to the dynamic MRI to detect the response of HCC after management. Conclusions: Subtraction MRI is a pivotal tool to assess the interventional treatment of HCC, particularly in lesions having pre-contrast high signal intensity with distinguished radiologists' confidence

Sensibilidad y especificidad de las escalas diagnósticas en la apendicitis aguda. Estudio prospectivo / Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic scales in acute appendicitis. Prospective study

La Apendicitis Aguda se manifiesta cuando existe inflamación del apéndice cecal, representando una de las más notables causas de abdomen agudo con pronóstico quirúrgico en el mundo. Existen sistemas de puntuaciones que se han generado para su comprobación, mediante técnicas no invasivas, de fácil aplicación y reproducción; destacando entre ellas las escalas de ALVARADO, RIPASA, AIR, entre otras. Objetivo: Comparar la sensibilidad y especificidad de las escalas AIR Vs. RIPASA para el diagnóstico de la Apendicitis Aguda en el Hospital General Nacional "Dr. Ángel Larralde", período enero 2020 ­ diciembre 2022. Materiales: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y evaluativo, prospectivo y de corte transversal. Muestra fue intencional no probabilística, cumpliendo con los criterios de inclusión. Para la recolección de datos, se empleó la observación directa como técnica y como instrumentos las escalas AIR y RIPASA. Resultados: Muestra conformada por 192 pacientes, sin predisposición de géneros. Sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo, valor predictivo negativo y exactitud diagnóstica AIR: 70%; 58,33%; 73,68%; 53,84%; 65,62%; RIPASA: 88,88%; 42,85%; 66,66%; 75%; 68,75%. Conclusiones: La exactitud diagnóstica para la escala de RIPASA fue ligeramente mayor que para AIR (68,75% vs. 65,62%), permitiendo afirmar que, en el grupo de estudio, resultó más conveniente la aplicación de la escala de RIPASA en pacientes sanos para el diagnóstico correcto de Apendicitis Aguda(AU)

Acute Appendicitis manifests when there is inflammation of the cecal appendix, representing one of the most notable causes of acute abdomen with surgical prognosis in the world. There are scoring systems that have been generated for verification, using non-invasive techniques that are easy to apply and reproduce; highlighting among them the scales of ALVARADO, RIPASA, AIR, among others.Objective : To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the AIR Vs. RIPASA scales for the diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis at the National General Hospital "Dr. Ángel Larralde", period January 2020 ­ December 2022. Materials: Observational, descriptive and evaluative, prospective and cross-sectional study. Sample was intentional, non-probabilistic, meeting the inclusion criteria. For data collection, direct observation was used as a technique and the AIR and RIPASA scales as instruments.Results : Sample made up of 192 patients, with no gender predisposition. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and AIR diagnostic accuracy: 70%; 58.33%; 73.68%; 53.84%; 65.62%; RIPASE: 88.88%; 42.85%; 66.66%; 75%; 68.75%.Conclusions : The diagnostic accuracy for the RIPASA scale was slightly higher than for AIR (68.75% vs. 65.62%), allowing us to affirm that, in the study group, the application of the RIPASA scale was more convenient in healthy patients for the correct diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis(AU)

The utility of a chest radiograph in screening COVID-19 patients in a pediatric tertiary government hospital

@#<p><strong>Background:</strong> Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a pandemic to this time, and chest radiography has been used as a first-line triage tool, due to long turnaround times for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which remains to be the gold standard in COVID-19 diagnosis. Chest x-ray alone has poor sensitivity to diagnosing COVID-19 and pediatric studies on this are scarce.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The main objective is to evaluate the usefulness of a routine chest radiograph as an adjunct to diagnosing suspected pediatric COVID-19, along with its sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and correlation with the most common pediatric signs and symptoms. In line with this, the radiographic characteristics seen in pediatric COVID-19 patients are presented.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study involving a retrospective chart review of 259 pediatric patients admitted in a tertiary hospital with COVID-19 signs and symptoms, with baseline chest x-ray and SARS-CoV2 RT-PCR tests. Correlation of signs and symptoms with chest x-ray findings to RT-PCR positivity was determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The study was composed of 259 pediatric patients (ages 0-18 years old). Of these, 35 had positive findings with RT-PCR (15%). Sensitivity of a chest radiograph with pneumonia is at 62.9%, while specificity is at 39.3%. Overall accuracy of CXR findings leading to RT-PCR positivity is at 42.5%. Ground glass or hazy opacities was the most common radiographic finding (45.5%), followed by reticular opacities (31.8%). Abnormalities were mostly distributed in the inner lung zone distribution with bilateral lung involvement (90%). Those with difficulty of breathing were more likely to have pneumonia on their CXR, though a finding of pneumonia on CXR did not significantly correlate to a positive RT-PCR.</p><p><strong>Conclusions & Recommendations:</strong> Findings of pneumonia on a pediatric CXR may not necessarily lead to a positive SARS-CoV2 RT-PCR, but correlating this with the patient's clinical course and symptoms may be beneficial in effective triaging of patients. Reassessment by another radiologist may provide additional strength to this study.</p>

Pre-evaluation assessment of serological-based COVID-19 point-of-care lateral flow assays in Kenya

Background: Timely testing is a key determinant of management outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests are currently the mainstay for COVID-19 testing. However, serological point-of-care tests (PoCTs) can be useful in identifying asymptomatic and recovered cases, as well as herd immunity. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 PoCTs in Kenya to support the emergency use authorisation of these tests. Methods: Between March 2020 and May 2020, 18 firms, of which 13 were from China, submitted their PoCTs to the national regulatory authority, the Pharmacy and Poison Board, who in turn forwarded them to the Kenya Medical Research Institute for pre-evaluation assessment. The tests were run with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction COVID-19-positive samples. Pre-COVID-19 plasma samples that were collected in June 2019were used as negative samples. The shelf lives of the PoCTs ranged from 6 to 24 months. Results: Only nine (50%) tests had sensitivities ≥ 40% (range: 40% ­ 60%) and the ability of these tests to detect IgM ranged from 0% to 50%. Many (7/18; 38.9%) of the kits had very weak IgM and IgG band intensities (range: 2­3). Conclusion: Serological-based PoCTs available in Kenya can only detect COVID-19 in up to 60% of the infected population.

Integrating physician’s and patient’s interest before judging the efficiency of a diagnostic test

Background: Customarily, physicians utilize an efficient diagnostic test before confirming the illness to start a treatment procedure. In this process, physician’s seeks maximum possible sensitivity  and specificity. On the contrary, patient wants maximum attainable positive and negative predictive values. A duality exists between both vital patient’s and physician’s interest and it helps to judge whether a diagnostic is superior.Methods: This article integrates physician’s and patient’s interest in a novel manner to judge a diagnostic test is efficient. This approach is seen to be optimal, according to illustrations.Results: The results based on expressions of this article in data on rotavirus, mammogram, post-surgery infection, opinion of two independent nurses about ear infection, whether a surgery contained cancer cells, whether a second surgery rectifies ruptures in breast gels, and whether the elder’s fall due to medications they consumed are all convincing that the integration works well.Conclusions: The new integrated metric, , susceptibility index, excessive risk, calibration index, and phi-coefficients of this article are supportive to that both the physician’s and patient’s interest together identify a superior diagnostic test.

Value of C-reactive protein for predicting neonatal sepsis hospitalized in NICU, Mahosot Hospital, Lao PDR / Lao Medical Journal

Introduction@#Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns. Sepsis accounts for 30-50% of all neonatal deaths in developing countries. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been used to predict neonatal sepsis with high sensitivity and specificity. Currently, blood culture is the gold standard for neonatal sepsis diagnosis, but it takes at least 48 hours to 7 days and not all cases have positive culture in neonatal infection.@*Objective@#To assess the performance of C-reactive protein for predicting neonatal sepsis.@*Methodology@#A prospective and retrospective descriptive study in neonates aged up to 28 days old presenting with symptoms and signs of sepsis and maternal high-risk factor of neonatal sepsis at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Mahosot Hospital. C-reactive protein rapid test was considered positive if the test level was ≥6mg/L. Blood culture was used as reference test.@*Result@#Among 725 neonates recruited in the study, 3.9% blood cultures were positive. Among these, 21.4% were Staphylococcus aureus, 14.3% Escherichia coli and 10.7% Klebsiella pneumoniae. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive and Negative predictive values of CRP in predicting neonatal sepsis were 71.42%, 70.15%, 8.77% and 98.3% respectively.@*Conclusion@#C-reactive protein rapid test could not predict neonatal sepsis very well, but might enable to rule out non-sepsis patients because of its high negative predictive value. This is clinically useful for treatment follow-up and antibiotic use.

Sensibilidade e especificidade do V-VST na avaliação clínica de sujeitos com DPOC / Sensitivity and specificity of V-VST in the clinical evaluation of subjects with COPD / Sensibilidad y especificidad del V-VST en la evaluación clínica de sujetos con EPOC

Objetivo: avaliar a sensibilidade e a especificidade do protocolo Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) para detectar a presença de disfagia em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) em relação à videofluoroscopia. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo, analítico, com amostra de conveniência de indivíduos de ambos os sexos, ingressantes no Programa Multiprofissional de Reabilitação Pulmonar. Os participantes realizaram avaliação fonoaudiológica clínica da deglutição através do protocolo V-VST e avaliação instrumental pela videofluoroscopia da deglutição, sendo através dos resultados dessas calculado o valor de sensibilidade e especificidade do V-VST. Resultados: foram avaliados 29 sujeitos com média de idade de 63,9±8,6 anos (intervalo de 40 a 78 anos), a maioria do gênero masculino (51,7%). A avaliação segundo o protocolo V-VST demonstrou que a maioria dos participantes tinha deglutição sem alterações (55,2%). A análise do V-VST apresentou baixa sensibilidade (39,10%) e baixa especificidade (33,30%) em relação à videofluoroscopia com valor preditivo positivo de 69,20%. Conclusão: A aplicação do protocolo V-VST para avaliação clínica da deglutição apresentou baixa sensibilidade e especificidade em relação à videofluoroscopia para identificar a presença de disfagia em sujeitos com DPOC.

Objective: to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) protocol to detect the presence of dysphagia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to the videofluoroscopy. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study with a convenience sample with individuals of both sexes, who entered in the Multiprofessional Program of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Participants performed a speech-language clinical swallow evaluation using the V-VST protocol and an instrument performed by swallowing videofluoroscopy, and the results of these values calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the V-VST. Results: were evaluated 29 subjects with mean age of 63.9 ± 8.6 years (range 40-78 years), the majority of males (51.7%). Evaluation according to the V-VST protocol demonstrated that the majority of participants had swallowing without changes (55.2%). The V-VST analysis presented low sensitivity (39.10%) and low specificity (33.30%) in relation to videofluoroscopy with a positive predictive value of 69.20%. Conclusion: The application of the V-VST protocol for clinical evaluation of swallowing presented low sensitivity and specificity in relation to videofluoroscopy to identify the presence of dysphagia in subjects with COPD.

Objetivo: evaluar la sensibilidad y la especificidad del protocolo Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) para detectar la presencia de disfagia en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) en relación a la videofluoroscopia. Método: estudio transversal, descriptivo, analítico con muestra de conveniencia de individuos de ambos sexos, ingresantes en el Programa Multiprofesional de Rehabilitación Pulmonar. Los participantes realizaron una evaluación fonoaudiológica clínica de la deglución a través del protocolo V-VST y evaluación instrumental por la videofluoroscopia de la deglución, siendo a través de los resultados de esas calculado el valor de sensibilidad y especificidad del V-VST. Resultados: fueron evaluados 29 sujetos con promedio de edad de 63,9 ± 8,6 años (intervalo de 40 a 78 años), la mayoría del género masculino (51,7%). La evaluación según el protocolo V-VST demostró que la mayoría de los participantes tenía deglución sin cambios (55,2%). El análisis del V-VST presentó baja sensibilidad (39,10%) y baja especificidad (33,30%) en relación a la videofluoroscopia con valor predictivo positivo del 69,20%. Conclusión: La aplicación del protocolo V-VST para evaluación clínica de la deglución presentó baja sensibilidad y especificidad en relación a la videofluoroscopia para identificar la presencia de disfagia en sujetos con EPOC.

Glypican-3 level assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is inferior to alpha-fetoprotein level for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glypican-3 (GPC3) protein is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue. It has been suggested as a diagnostic biomarker, but its inconsistent performance means that it requires further assessment. We therefore investigated the diagnostic value of the plasma GPC3 level compared to the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level as a diagnostic biomarker of HCC. METHODS: We enrolled 157 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC and 156 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) as the control group. GPC3 plasma levels were measured using two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs, named as Assay 1 and 2), and AFP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked chemiluminescent immunoassay. The diagnostic accuracy was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Plasma GPC3 levels in HCC patients were very low (0–3.09 ng/mL) in Assay 1, while only 3 of the 157 patients (1.9%) showed detectable GPC3 levels in Assay 2. The median GPC3 level was not significantly elevated in the HCC group (0.80 ng/mL) compared with the LC group (0.60 ng/mL). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for GPC3 was 0.559 in Assay 1. In contrast, the median AFP level was significantly higher in HCC (27.72 ng/mL) than in LC (4.74 ng/mL), with an AUC of 0.729. CONCLUSION: The plasma level of GPC3 is a poor diagnostic marker for HCC, being far inferior to AFP. The development of a consistent detection system for the blood level of GPC3 is warranted.

Comparison of diagnostic method of evaluating vibration induced sensorineural impairment among shipyard’s grinders

The objectives of this study are to investigate diagnostic value of two different tests amongst tests highly recommended and used for diagnosis of HAVS of the sensorineural component; Semmes Weinstein Monofilament (SWM) and Purdue Pegboard (PP) tests using vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) test as standard objective quantitative test. For the method, a total of 176 grinders as vibration exposed respondent of a shipyard’s fabrication participated in this study. Questionnaire and vibration exposures data were collected for all respondents where 67 respondents further performed the three quantitative sensorineural testing. The result showed that mean acceleration magnitude of grinding tools used were 4.9 ms-2, exceeding recommendation by European Commission. Both cut-off point methods of mean plus two times standard deviation (mean + 2sd) and z-score (at 75th percentile) show significant difference among healthy and HAVS (p < 0.001). Correlation between SWM with VPT and PP with VPT was weak. However, results suggests progressive pathological damage to sensorineural component of the digits starts with fast-adapting II (FA II) mechanoreceptors indicated with significant correlation primarily at 125 Hz. Analyses of sensitivity and specificity found that monofilament at 0.16g force best discriminate HAVS from healthy. In the other hand, Purdue Pegboard test shows best diagnostic value of indicating HAVS at minimum insert of 16 pin and 14 pin respectively for dominant and non-dominant hand. Both Semmes Weinstein Monofilament and Purdue Pegboard tests has limited diagnostic value to be used as screening tools for early detection of HAVS.

Application of Clock Drawing Test in Differentiating Mild Cognitive Impairment from Alzheimer's Disease / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the potential of the Clock Drawing Test (CTD) in differentiating the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Cognitive impaired patients admitted to the outpatient and inpatient of neurological department of our hospital from October 2011 to October 2013 were reviewed. There were 65 cases with MCI and 63 cases with AD. The scores of CDT were compared between them, and the sensitivity and specificity were evaluated with Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve. Results The MCI group and AD group matched in age, gender and education. The scores of Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and CDT were significantly defferent between the two groups. The sensitivity of 3-point CDT was 54.0% and the specificity was 80.9% in differentiating MCI and AD. Conclusion CDT is helpful to differentiate MCI from AD only in a set of assessment.

Mild Paediatric Head Injury: The Diagnostic Value of Physical Examinations Compared with Computed Tomographic Scans

The study objective was to determine the diagnostic value of physical examinations for positive computer tomography (CT) scans in children with mild head injuries. Retrospective data of patients evaluated for mild head injuries with loss of consciousness (LOC) or amnesia were reviewed. Estimations of prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated. Agreement between the physical examinations and CT brain scans was calculated using the Kappa test. 225 patients were included in the study. Of this group, 19.56% of patients had positive CT scans, and 7.56% had normal physical examinations. 15 underwent neurosurgical intervention. For positive CT scans, sensitivity and specificity were 61.36% and 60.22%, respectively. Agreement between physical examinations and CT scans was Kappa = 0.147 (P < 0.05), 95% CI (0.035, 0.259). The present study demonstrated that physical examinations were significantly associated with positive CT scans (P = 0.01). However, the calculated Kappa value showed only slight agreement between these 2 variables, and the low sensitivity and specificity of the physical examinations suggest that intracranial pathology in children with mild head injuries and LOC or amnesia cannot be excluded based on physical examinations alone.

Clinical Value of a Rapid Fully Automated Thyroid Autoantibody Assay in the Diagnosis and Management of Graves Disease

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease (GD) which is characterised by the presence of autoantibodies which binds to the TSH receptor (TRAb). Recently, a rapid, fully automated electrochemiluminescent immunoassay ElecsysAnti-TSHR for detection of autoantibodies to TSH receptor was made available for routine clinical use. The objective of this study is to evaluate this assay and to determine the sensitivity, specificity and cut-off value. Interassay and total imprecision (CV) were determined at 3.78-7.02 IU/L and 13.5-21.2 IU/L respectively. A total of 124 samples which comprised of 46 GD, seven Hashimoto thyroiditis (HD), 11 non autoimmune nodular goitre (NAG), 2 thyroid cancers (Ca) and 58 normal controls were retrospectively analysed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and cut-off value. Inter-assay CV’s were 2.4% at a concentration of 3.90 IU/L (range: 3.78-7.02 IU/l) and 0.8% at 20.80 IU/L (range:13.5-21.2 IU/l). Total imprecision was 3.8% at a concentration of 3.80 IU/L (range:13.5-21.2 IU/l) and 1.0% at 20.8 IU/L (range:13.5-21.2 IU/l). The ROC analysis of patients with GD, other thyroid disorders and normal controls revealed that the highest sensitivity (94%) and specificity (98%) were seen at cut-off value of 1.69 IU/L. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) was 95% and 94% respectively. At this derived cut-off value of 1.69 IU/L, we found that the sensitivity of TRAb positivity within the group of 29 newly diagnosed GD patients was 94%. Our results demonstrate that this fully automated assay with testing time of 27 minutes has high sensitivity in detecting GD and high specificity for discriminating other thyroid disease and represent major improvement in the diagnosis and management of patients with thyroid diseases.

Echocontrast cystosonography versus micturating cystourethrography in the detection of vesicoureteric reflux

Purpose: To compare echocontrast cystosonography (ECS) using in-vivo agitated saline with fluoroscopic micturating cystourethrography (MCU) in the detection and grading of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). Materials and methods: This was a prospective study of 25 children, who had MCU between 2007 and 2009. ECS was performed and findings documented prior to MCU. Baseline renal and bladder sonograms were obtained. The bladder was filled with normal saline followed by introduction of 10–20 mls of air to generate microbubbles. Detection of VUR was based on two sonographic criteria: (1) presence of microbubbles in the pelvicaliceal system (PCS), and (2) increase in dilatation of the PCS. VUR was graded as (1) Grade I: microbubbles seen in ureter only; (2) Grade II: microbubbles seen in non-dilated PCS; and (3) Grade III-V: microbubbles seen in dilated PCS. The ECS findings were compared using MCU as the gold standard. Results: Of the 50 kidney-ureter (K-U) units studied, ECS detected 9 of 10 K-U units with VUR on MCU. ECS did not detect a Grade II VUR. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for criterion 1 was 90%, 87.5%, 88%, 64.3% and 97%, respectively, compared to criterion 2 which was 70%, 90%, 86%, 64% and 92%, respectively. The grading of VUR was similar on both ECS and MCU except for one case. Conclusion: ECS using agitated saline was a sensitive technique for the detection of VUR. ECS grading was comparable with MCU grading of VUR.

Platelet antibody screening by flow cytometry is more sensitive than solid phase red cell adherence assay and lymphocytotoxicity technique: a comparative study in Thai patients.

The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of lymphocytotoxicity test (LCT), solid phase red cell adherence assay (SPRCA) and flow cytometry in detecting platelet reactive antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I and human platelet antigens (HPA). Sera from 38 thrombocytopenic patients and 5 mothers of thrombocytopenic newborns were screened for platelet reactive antibodies by these three methods using screening platelets and/or lymphocytes panels derived from six subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of each method and levels of agreement were analysed. HLA antibodies were found in 18, 17 and 19 out of 43 patients’ sera tested by LCT, SPRCA and flow cytometry, respectively. Four out of 43 patients’ sera were reactive against HPA by flow cytometry, but were reactive to only 2 sera by SPRCA. Using flow cytometry as the reference method, the sensitivities/specificities of SPRCA and LCT in HLA antibody detection were 84.21/95.83% and 94.73/100%, respectively, with a good strength of agreement. SPRCA had 50% sensitivity and 100% specificity in HPA antibody detection compare to flow cytometry. Flow cytometry appeared to be the most sensitive technique compared with SPRCA and LCT for both HPA and HLA antibody screening. SPRCA sensitivity was too low for HPA antibody detection, but this might be because of the small number of samples. There was one serum from the mother of a baby suffering neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), in whom SPRCA could not detect HPA antibodies, while flow cytometry came out positive. Therefore, SPRCA should not be used in NAIT investigation and flow cytometry should be employed instead.

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Cytology of the Thyroid: A Cyto-Histopathological Study of 361 Cases in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Thyroid nodules are common but thyroid malignancies are not. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a diagnostic tool used to screen patients with thyroid nodules who require surgery. We study the diagnostic accuracy of FNA as the initial diagnostic modality in the clinical assessment of thyroid nodules. Between January 1995 until December 2000, 2131 FNA of thyroid nodules were performed. Four hundred and forty-one (20.7%) of these were unsatisfactory and 1690 (79.3%) cases were satisfactory for cytological evaluation. Histopathological diagnosis were available for 361 cases. Cyto-histopathological correlation was carried out for these cases. Our results showed a diagnostic accuracy of 96.2% with sensitivity and specificity rates of 87.7% and 98.4% respectively. Our positive predictive value is 93.4% and our negative predictive value is 96.8%. From this study, we conclude that fine needle aspiration is an important initial screening diagnostic tool for the investigation of thyroid nodules.

Revised Cognitive Impairment Diagnosing Instrument (CIDI): A Semi-Structured Interview Form for Assessment of Cognitive Functions / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted in order to evaluate reliability and diagnostic validity of the CIDI. METHODS: 64 patients with DSM-IV dementia and 90 elderly patients with other mental disorders entered this study. Inter-subtest Pearson's correlations, corrected subtest-total correlations and Cronbach's alpha were computed for reliability while correlations of the total scores on CIDI with the performances on other scales relating to dementia, sensitivity and specificity, area under curve using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and group comparison were used for the assessment of validity. RESULTS: The CIDI's inter-subtest correlations ranged from 0.596 to 0.813, with a mean of 0.707. The corrected subtest-total correlations were between 0.759 and 0.890. Cronbach's alpha of the subtests was 0.941 and the Cronbach's alpha were between 0.928 and 0.948 when any subtest was deleted. In the demented subjects, the correlation coefficients of the total CIDI score with the performances on S-SDQ, IADL, BADL, BDRS, and MMSEK were around 0.5. Area under the receiver operating curve of CIDI was 0.933 with the standard error of 0.021(95% CI, 0.891-0.975). At the CIDI cutoff point of 65/66, sensitivity and specificity were 95.3% and 85.6%, respectively. The corresponding values of MMSEK were 0.930, 0.020 (95% CI, 0.891-0.969), 22/23, and 89.1% and 85.6%. The demented scored much poorer in all CIDI subtests than the nondemented mental patients, and the differences were highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The CIDI was satisfactory regarding to reliabilities and diagnostic validities. The CIDI and MMSEK are thought to be reciprocal in assessment of cognitive functions: CIDI is preferable for clinical assessment of cognitive dysfunction and MMSEK for as a screening test.