Comparison of a Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction Algorithm with Filtered Back Projection and Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms for Pediatric Abdominopelvic CT

Objective@#To compare a deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) algorithm for pediatric abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) with filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. @*Materials and Methods@#Post-contrast abdominopelvic CT scans obtained from 120 pediatric patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 8.7 ± 5.2 years; 60 males) between May 2020 and October 2020 were evaluated in this retrospective study. Images were reconstructed using FBP, a hybrid IR algorithm (ASiR-V) with blending factors of 50% and 100% (AV50 and AV100, respectively), and a DLR algorithm (TrueFidelity) with three strength levels (low, medium, and high). Noise power spectrum (NPS) and edge rise distance (ERD) were used to evaluate noise characteristics and spatial resolution, respectively. Image noise, edge definition, overall image quality, lesion detectability and conspicuity, and artifacts were qualitatively scored by two pediatric radiologists, and the scores of the two reviewers were averaged. A repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to compare NPS and ERD among the six reconstruction methods. The Friedman rank sum test followed by the Nemenyi-Wilcoxon-Wilcox all-pairs test was used to compare the results of the qualitative visual analysis among the six reconstruction methods. @*Results@#The NPS noise magnitude of AV100 was significantly lower than that of the DLR, whereas the NPS peak of AV100 was significantly higher than that of the high- and medium-strength DLR (p < 0.001). The NPS average spatial frequencies were higher for DLR than for ASiR-V (p < 0.001). ERD was shorter with DLR than with ASiR-V and FBP (p < 0.001). Qualitative visual analysis revealed better overall image quality with high-strength DLR than with ASiR-V (p < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#For pediatric abdominopelvic CT, the DLR algorithm may provide improved noise characteristics and better spatial resolution than the hybrid IR algorithm.

Safety, Efficacy, and Patient Satisfaction with Initial Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Compared with Usual Intravenous Access in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Randomized Phase II Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine insertion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at admission to a hospice-palliative care (HPC) unit is acceptable in terms of safety and efficacy and whether it results in superior patient satisfaction compared to usual intravenous (IV) access. @*Materials and Methods@#Terminally ill cancer patients were randomly assigned to two arms: routine PICC access and usual IV access arm. The primary endpoint was IV maintenance success rate, defined as the rate of functional IV maintenance until the intended time (discharge, transfer, or death). @*Results@#A total of 66 terminally ill cancer patients were enrolled and randomized to study arms. Among them, 57 patients (routine PICC, 29; usual IV, 28) were analyzed. In the routine PICC arm, mean time to PICC was 0.84 days (range, 0 to 3 days), 27 patients maintained PICC with function until the intended time. In the usual IV arm, 11 patients maintained peripheral IV access until the intended time, and 15 patients underwent PICC insertion. The IV maintenance success rate in the routine PICC arm (27/29, 93.1%) was similar to that in the usual IV arm (26/28, 92.8%, p=0.958). Patient satisfaction at day 5 was better in the routine PICC arm (97%, ‘a little comfort’ or ‘much comfort’) compared with the usual IV arm (21%) (p <0.001). @*Conclusion@#Routine PICC insertion in terminally ill cancer patients was comparable in safety and efficacy and resulted in superior satisfaction compared with usual IV access. Thus, routine PICC insertion could be considered at admission to the HPC unit.

Safety, Efficacy, and Patient Satisfaction with Initial Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Compared with Usual Intravenous Access in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Randomized Phase II Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine insertion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at admission to a hospice-palliative care (HPC) unit is acceptable in terms of safety and efficacy and whether it results in superior patient satisfaction compared to usual intravenous (IV) access. @*Materials and Methods@#Terminally ill cancer patients were randomly assigned to two arms: routine PICC access and usual IV access arm. The primary endpoint was IV maintenance success rate, defined as the rate of functional IV maintenance until the intended time (discharge, transfer, or death). @*Results@#A total of 66 terminally ill cancer patients were enrolled and randomized to study arms. Among them, 57 patients (routine PICC, 29; usual IV, 28) were analyzed. In the routine PICC arm, mean time to PICC was 0.84 days (range, 0 to 3 days), 27 patients maintained PICC with function until the intended time. In the usual IV arm, 11 patients maintained peripheral IV access until the intended time, and 15 patients underwent PICC insertion. The IV maintenance success rate in the routine PICC arm (27/29, 93.1%) was similar to that in the usual IV arm (26/28, 92.8%, p=0.958). Patient satisfaction at day 5 was better in the routine PICC arm (97%, ‘a little comfort’ or ‘much comfort’) compared with the usual IV arm (21%) (p <0.001). @*Conclusion@#Routine PICC insertion in terminally ill cancer patients was comparable in safety and efficacy and resulted in superior satisfaction compared with usual IV access. Thus, routine PICC insertion could be considered at admission to the HPC unit.

Emphysematous Gastritis Worsened after Upper Endoscopy

Emphysematous gastritis is an infectious disease in which air is formed in the gastric wall by gas-forming organisms. It is infrequently reported but can be fatal without early diagnosis and treatment. The stomach is rarely infected because of the acidity of the gastric secretions and the rich blood supply. Treatment should be aimed at covering gram-negative organisms and anaerobes using broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, and occasional surgical management in order to enhance survival. Risk factors are those that lead to disrupted mucosal integrity, such as corrosive injury, and those that result in an immunosuppressed condition, including diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, immunosuppressive drug use, and subsequent invasion by gas-forming organisms. We experienced a case of emphysematous gastritis that worsened after endoscopy. Aeration during upper endoscopy examination can cause barotrauma to the gastric wall with impairment of the mucosal barrier, resulting in the spread of gastric wall infection to the whole body. Therefore, we report this case and provide relevant literature review to suggest that early endoscopic evaluation can lead to exacerbation of emphysematous gastritis.

Safety and Effectiveness of Indwelling Percutaneous Drainage in Hospitalized Terminally Ill Cancer Patients with Recurrent Ascites / 이화의대지

Objectives@#Terminally ill cancer patients in hospice palliative care unit are reluctant to undergo repetitive invasive procedures due to coagulopathies and poor performance or condition, while catheter management such as regular irrigation during hospitalization is easy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of indwelling intraperitoneal (IP) catheter in hospitalized terminally ill cancer patients with recurrent ascites. @*Methods@#A retrospective review was conducted in patients who underwent IP catheter at the hospice palliative care unit of Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between August 2016 and June 2018. All catheters were inserted by interventional radiologists with radiological guidance. The primary end-points were functional IP catheter maintenance rate, which is catheter maintained with patency for drainage until the intended time. @*Results@#A total of 25 terminally ill cancer patients underwent IP catheters placements during the study period. All catheters were successfully inserted without major complications, but one patient had trivial bleeding and one other patient had temporary pain. The median time from admission to catheter insertion was 5 days (range, 1 to 49 days). Twenty-one catheters were maintained with function until the intended time, three cases were maintained without function, and the last one was removed early due to obstruction and pain. Finally, the functional IP maintenance rate was 84% (21/25) and the median functional catheter life span was 15 days (95% confidence interval, 10.8 to 17.2). @*Conclusion@#Our study showed relatively favorable results for IP catheter maintenance and safety in hospitalized terminally ill cancer patients with malignant ascites.

A Case of Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Supplied by the Right Renal Capsular Artery Treated by Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

We present a case of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma with poor liver function managed by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The patient's bilirubin level was 2.1 mg/dL, albumin level was 2.4 g/dL, and prothrombin time international normalized ratio was 2.1. In addition, the patient had also developed a large number of ascites. The tumor was supplied by the right renal capsular artery, as observed on angiography. With successful TAE, no hepatic failure occurred. We believe TAE can be a safe and effective treatment option, even in patients with poor liver function, if tumors are supplied only by extrahepatic collateral vessels.

Biliary Anastomotic Stricture after Surgical Management of Mirizzi Syndrome: Treated with Long-term Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage / 대한췌담도학회지

Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of cholecystolithiasis that is characterized by obstruction of the common hepatic duct due to mechanical compression by impacted stones in the neck of the gallbladder or the cystic duct. Treatment of MS is surgical, and operative procedure would vary depending on its classification type. Biliary stricture after surgical treatment of MS is an unusual complication and endoscopic approach is not possible for patients who have undergone bilioenteric anastomosis. We report a case of a 60-year-old patient with biliary anastomotic stricture after surgical management of MS who was successfully treated with long-term percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Preoperative arterial embolization of heterotopic ossification around the hip joint / 영남의대학술지

Heterotopic ossification (HO) around the hip joint is not uncommon following neurological injury. Often, surgical treatment is performed in patients with restricted motion and/or refractory pain due to grade III or IV HO according to Brooker classification. The major complication that occurs as a result of surgical HO removal is perioperative bleeding due to hyper-vascularization of the lesion. Here, we report a case of preoperative embolization in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with restricted bilateral hip range of motion (ROM) due to HO following a spinal cord injury. In the right hip without preoperative arterial embolization, massive bleeding occurred during surgical removal of HO. Thus, the patient received a transfusion postoperatively due to decreased serum hemoglobin levels. For surgery of the left hip, preoperative embolization of the arteries supplying HO was performed. Surgical treatment was completed without bleeding complications, and the patient recovered without a postoperative transfusion. This case highlights that, while completing surgical removal for ROM improvements, orthopedic surgeons should consider preoperative arterial embolization in patients with hip HO.

Preoperative arterial embolization of heterotopic ossification around the hip joint / 영남의대학술지

Heterotopic ossification (HO) around the hip joint is not uncommon following neurological injury. Often, surgical treatment is performed in patients with restricted motion and/or refractory pain due to grade III or IV HO according to Brooker classification. The major complication that occurs as a result of surgical HO removal is perioperative bleeding due to hyper-vascularization of the lesion. Here, we report a case of preoperative embolization in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with restricted bilateral hip range of motion (ROM) due to HO following a spinal cord injury. In the right hip without preoperative arterial embolization, massive bleeding occurred during surgical removal of HO. Thus, the patient received a transfusion postoperatively due to decreased serum hemoglobin levels. For surgery of the left hip, preoperative embolization of the arteries supplying HO was performed. Surgical treatment was completed without bleeding complications, and the patient recovered without a postoperative transfusion. This case highlights that, while completing surgical removal for ROM improvements, orthopedic surgeons should consider preoperative arterial embolization in patients with hip HO.

Two Pediatric Cases of Spontaneous Ruptured Solid Tumors Successfully Treated with Transcutaneous Arterial Embolization / 임상소아혈액종양

Spontaneous rupture with internal bleeding of solid tumors has rarely been described at the time of diagnosis or during chemotherapy. This rare event must be regarded as a life threatening condition. In these emergency situations, control of hemorrhage, which is life-saving, can be achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and/or surgical resection. This report describes two infants presenting with acute hemorrhagic shock due to spontaneous tumor rupture of hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma during chemotherapy. TAE successfully arrested the tumor bleeding and a visibly reduced the tumor size in both children. Spontaneous rupture of solid tumors occur infrequently in children, but is a life threatening situation. Careful monitoring for the occurrence of this rare event especially in very young children presenting with a large tumor mass.