Myocarditis in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients with suspected preceding infection.

SARS-CoV-2 is primarily a respiratory disease; however, there have been multiple reports of associated myocarditis. In our 463 bedded, district general hospital, we noted an influx of young patients with myocarditis shortly after the peak of the outbreak. We report two cases presenting with myocarditis, both of whom tested negative for the virus despite clinical and biochemical evidence of recent infection. Diagnosis was made based on positive transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) findings and a raised troponin, not in the context of suspected acute coronary syndrome. We recommend that patients with negative coronavirus tests should still be considered at risk of potential sequelae from the disease. There should be a low threshold for performing basic cardiac investigations: ECG, troponin and TTE as well as seeking a cardiology opinion. Colchicine is a recognised treatment for viral pericarditis and should be considered as adjunctive treatment; however, further research is required specific to SARS-CoV-2.

Use of Multislice CT for Investigation of Occult Geriatric Hip Fractures and Impact on Timing of Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the first-line investigation for radiographically occult hip fractures, if available within 24 hours. In our department, however, multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) is instead used as a first-line investigation due to significant delays associated with obtaining MRI. Our aim was to determine the validity and practicality of MSCT for diagnosis of occult hip fractures and its impact on timing of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records and imaging for consecutive patients who underwent MSCT to investigate occult hip fractures between January 2014 and October 2016. We reviewed subsequent imaging and reattendances for patients with negative MSCT to exclude initially missed fractures. RESULTS: Two hundred six patients underwent MSCT to investigate occult hip fracture during the study period. Hip fractures were identified in 59 patients, comprising 35 (59.3%) subcapital, 12 (20.0%) intertrochanteric, 8 (13.6%) transcervical, and 4 (6.8%) basicervical fractures. One missed hip fracture was identified: a patient with a negative MSCT was further investigated with MRI that demonstrated acute subcapital hip fracture. Multislice computerized tomography was obtained within 24 hours of initial radiograph in 145 (70.4%) patients. A total of 44.5% of occult hip fractures had surgery within the nationally recommended 36 hours of admission (hospital average for all hip fractures was 76.4% over the same period). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Multislice computerized tomography is a pragmatic approach to investigate the majority of occult hip fractures in a timely manner and minimize associated delay to surgery. However it cannot completely exclude the diagnosis, especially in abnormal anatomy. The lack of a true gold standard comparison (ie, MRI) means a true sensitivity and specificity cannot be calculated, although can be cautiously estimated by lack of subsequent reattendance or investigation. Further prospective randomized CT versus MRI trials are required.

The effect of precautions on early dislocations post total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of hip precautions in preventing dislocation post total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been questioned in recent literature. From 2014 our centre ceased routinely prescribing them due to lack of evidence. We investigate the effect of stopping these precautions on dislocation rate, patient satisfaction and Oxford hip score (OHS). METHODS: Patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty prior to this change in protocol ( n = 2551) and for 1 year subsequently ( n = 673) were identified. Operative records were used to identify key demographic and operative data. Incidence of dislocation, OHS and patient satisfaction were extracted from the centre's electronic database. Subset analysis of those patients dislocating within 6 weeks was performed. RESULTS: Rate of dislocation at 6 weeks in those prescribed and not prescribed precautions was 0.71% and 0.89% respectively ( p = 0.618). At 1 year this rose to 1.25% and 1.49% ( p = 0.406). Satisfaction ( p = 0.332) and OHS ( p = 0.441) at 1 year was not significantly different between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Cessation of prescribing routine hip precautions post primary THA does not appear to significantly affect overall dislocation rate, patient satisfaction or functional status at 1 year post-operatively.