4DCT as first line imaging during Covid pandeminc

Aim: The Covid-19 pandemic encouraged prompt modification to clinical practice to minimise hospital attendances in an aim to minimize exposure and protection of the NHS whilst maintaining the standards of patient care. Current literature advocates that Four-Dimensional Computerised Tomography (4DCT) has equal diagnostic value as ultrasound alone or a combination of ultrasound and Sestamibi scan in the identification of abnormal parathyroid glands in the work up for surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. In response to the evolving pandemic at Addenbrookes we modified our practice and escalated 4DCT as our first line imaging. In light of this we had a unique opportunity to evaluate the diagnostic value of the currently used imaging modalities. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 270 parathyroidectomies who underwent pre-operative 4DCT (n=270), ultrasound (n= 254) and sestamibi scan (n=253). Subsequently, we assessed the accuracy of these three modalities with the of intra-operative findings, histology, postoperative calcium and PTH. Results: The sensitivity of the 4DCT was 77% in comparison to 43% sensitivity of the ultrasound alone. (p.0.05). The combined sensitivity of ultrasound and Sestamibi scan was found to be 69%. Conclusion: The implementation of 4DCT as a single modality diagnostic imaging can be considered equally effective and accurate in the diagnosis of parathyroid abnormality. Implementing this would reduce the number of diagnostic tests improving the likelihood of successful operative planning and reduce financial cost.

Tracheostomy in the coronavirus disease 2019 patient: evaluating feasibility, challenges and early outcomes of the 14-day guidance.

OBJECTIVES: To report feasibility, early outcomes and challenges of implementing a 14-day threshold for undertaking surgical tracheostomy in the critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patient. METHODS: Twenty-eight coronavirus disease 2019 patients underwent tracheostomy. Demographics, risk factors, ventilatory assistance, organ support and logistics were assessed. RESULTS: The mean time from intubation to tracheostomy formation was 17.0 days (standard deviation = 4.4, range 8-26 days). Mean time to decannulation was 15.8 days (standard deviation = 9.4) and mean time to intensive care unit stepdown to a ward was 19.2 days (standard deviation = 6.8). The time from intubation to tracheostomy was strongly positively correlated with: duration of mechanical ventilation (r(23) = 0.66; p < 0.001), time from intubation to decannulation (r(23) = 0.66; p < 0.001) and time from intubation to intensive care unit discharge (r(23) = 0.71; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Performing a tracheostomy in coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients at 8-14 days following intubation is compatible with favourable outcomes. Multidisciplinary team input is crucial to patient selection.