Increased reliability of CT-imaging signs of bleeding into soft tissue in patients with COVID-19 for planning transarterial embolization.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous bleeding into the soft tissues of the abdominal and thoracic wall is described as complication of anticoagulant therapy. Computed tomography (CT) allows to detect the presence of extravasation of the contrast agent into a hematoma, which is indicated as a sign of ongoing bleeding. Other specific CT signs of such coagulopathic bleeding have been described earlier. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the significance of specific coagulopathic CT signs for predicting the dynamics of spontaneous bleeding into soft tissues in patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 60 patients with COVID-19 with spontaneous bleeding into soft tissues and extravasation of a contrast agent on CT. In addition to extravasation, a "hematocrit effect" was detected in 43 patients on CT. Of these, 39 had extravasation in the form of a "signal flare." All patients underwent transarterial catheter angiography (TCA). To assess the prognostic value of CT signs, the results of CT and TCA compared. The absence of extravasation on the TCA more often corresponded to stopped bleeding. RESULTS: Extravasation on TCA found in 27 (45%) patients. The presence of the "hematocrit effect" or the combination of this sign with the phenomenon of a "signal flare" on CT (n = 43) led to more frequent confirmation of extravasation on TCA than in their absence (n = 17): 23.5% vs. 53.4% (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The presence of a fluid level and the phenomenon of a "signal flare" on CT in the structure of spontaneous hematomas of the soft tissues of the abdominal and thoracic wall in COVID-19 patients more often corresponded to ongoing bleeding on the TCA. The absence of coagulopathic CT signs more often corresponded to stopped bleeding.

The acute cholecystitis in COVID-19 patients: Treatment in conditions of reprofiled hospital

Introduction. Routine surgical care has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis, conservative treatment, percutaneous drainage of the gallbladder or cholecystectomy is offered. Tactics of treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis against the background of COVID-19 have not been studied. It is important to study the data concerning the time of cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis, comparing "early" and "delayed" cholecystectomy, which is performed after a period of conservative therapy. Aim. To present and evaluate the results of treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis against the background of COVID-19 in the conditions of a repurposed multi-specialty hospital on the basis of the O. M. Filatov Clinic Hospital No. 15 in Moscow. Material and methods. A retrospective comparative study with history control included 16 patients with acute cholecystitis against the background of COVID-19. Mechanical jaundice syndrome was diagnosed in 3 (18.75%) patients. The diagnosis of coronavirus infection using PCR was confirmed in 5 patients, serological method-in 2 patients, and in 9 patients the diagnosis was confirmed by X-ray or CT examination with negative/doubtful PCR test results. Results. Nine (56.25%) patients were operated 4 (25%) percutaneous interventions were performed, in 3 (18.75%) cases conservative therapy was performed. Most patients were operated on within the first day of admission. In the main group, a fatal outcome occurred in 1 (6.25%) case (death from a thromboembolic complication in a patient with mechanical jaundice syndrome). Discussion. The choice of «early» cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, provided the condition is stable and the initial changes in the lungs are appropriate in most COVID-19 patients. Conclusion. Performing cholecystectomy in patients with coronavirus infection in an infectious hospital did not lead to an increase in the duration of inpatient treatment and the prevalence of complications. The approaches mentiobed in the results section can be used as a safe method in the discussed category of patients. © 2020 Izdatel'stvo Meditsina. All rights reserved.