[Diagnostic image (331). A man with abdominal distension]. / Diagnose in beeld (331). Een man met een opgezette buik.

A 70-year-old man had abdominal distension and pain without fever for two weeks, caused by a sigmoid perforation due to a chicken bone.

Prevention of catheter-related venous thrombosis with nadroparin in patients receiving chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Hemato-oncology patients treated with intensive chemotherapy usually require the placement of a central venous catheter (CVC). CVCs are frequently complicated by catheter-related central venous thrombosis (CVT), which has been associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism and catheter-related infection. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of thromboprophylaxis with s.c. low-molecular-weight heparin (nadroparin) administered once daily in a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in patients with hematologic malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies requiring intensive chemotherapy including autologous stem cell transplantation were eligible. The patients were randomized to receive nadroparin 2850 antifactor Xa units once daily or placebo s.c. for 3 weeks. Venography was performed on day 21 after CVC insertion. Secondary outcomes were bleeding and catheter-related infection. RESULTS: In total, 113 patients were randomized to nadroparin or placebo, and 87 patients (77%) underwent venography. In total, 11 venographically proven catheter-related CVTs were diagnosed. The frequency of catheter-related CVT was not significantly different between study groups, namely four catheter-related CVTs in the placebo group [9%; 95% CI: 0.002-0.16] vs. seven catheter-related CVTs in the nadroparin group (17%; 95% CI: 0.06-0.28). In addition, no difference in the incidence of catheter-related infection or bleeding was observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the actual risk for catheter-related CVT in patients with hematologic malignancies is lower than suggested in earlier studies in cancer patients. Although prophylactic administration of nadroparin appeared to be safe in this group of patients with a high risk of bleeding, it cannot be recommended for the prevention of catheter-related CVT or catheter-related infection in patients with hematologic malignancies.

A comparative study to validate the use of ultrasonography and computed tomography in patients with post-operative intra-abdominal sepsis.

PURPOSE: To validate abdominal ultrasonography and helical computed tomography in detecting causes for sepsis in patients after abdominal surgery and to determine improved criteria for its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive surgical patients primarily operated for non-infectious disease were included in this prospective study. Forty-one patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. All patients were suspected of an intra-abdominal sepsis after abdominal surgery. Both ultrasonography (US) and helical abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed to investigate the origin of an intra-abdominal sepsis. The images of both US and CT were interpreted on a four-point scale by different radiologists or residents in radiology, the investigators were blinded of each other's test. Interpretations of US and CT were compared with a reference standard which was defined by the result of diagnostic aspiration of suspected fluid collections, (re)laparotomy, clinical course or the opinion of an independent panel. Likelihood ratios and post-test probabilities were calculated and interobserver agreement was determined using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of an abdominal infection was 0.49. The likelihood ratio (LR) of a positive test-result for US was 1.33 (95% CI: 0.8-2.5) and for CT scan 2.53 (95% CI: 1.4-5.0); corresponding post-test probabilities for US 0.57 (95% CI: 0.42-0.70) and for CT 0.71 (95% CI: 0.57-0.83). The LR of a negative test-result was, respectively, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.3-1.3) and 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06-0.5); corresponding post-test probabilities for US 0.37 (95% CI: 0.20-0.57) and for CT 0.15 (95% CI: 0.06-0.32) were calculated. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography can be used as the imaging modality of choice in patients suspected of intra-abdominal sepsis after abdominal surgery. Because of the low discriminatory power ultrasonography should not be performed as initial diagnostic test.

Magnetic resonance venography in consecutive patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of two magnetic resonance (MR) venography methods in a consecutive series of patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity (DVTUE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive in- and outpatients who were referred for imaging of suspected DVTUE in a large teaching hospital during the period April 2001 to October 2002 were eligible for inclusion. All patients were scheduled to undergo contrast venography with the intention to perform additional MR venography. Both time-of-flight and gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR venography were scheduled. All MR imaging were interpreted independently by consensus of two experienced radiologists, who were blinded for contrast venography outcome. Patients were managed based on contrast venography only. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were eligible for inclusion. Thirteen patients were excluded (5 refused consent, 2 inability to gain venous access, 2 renal failure, 4 logistic reasons). Contrast venography was performed in 31 patients, and demonstrated DVTUE in 11 patients. MR imaging was not feasible in 10 patients (4 unable to lie flat, 3 claustrophobia, 1 too large for MR scanner, 1 osteosynthesis of shoulder, 1 pacemaker). The sensitivity and specificity of TOF MRV versus Gadolinium 3D MRV was 71% and 89% versus 50% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A high number of patients were unable to undergo MR venography in this setting. Contrast-enhanced MRV did not improve diagnostic accuracy. The clinical utility of MR venography in the setting of suspected DVTUE seems disappointing.

Arteriography and portal venography on routine follow-up after orthotopic liver transplantation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the findings of routinely performed angiographic examinations in patients at discharge 2 months after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and at follow-up 1 year later. METHODS: The findings of 315 angiographic examinations performed in 190 patients 2 months and 1 year after OLT were reviewed, and the changes at the anastomotic site of the hepatic artery and portal vein were analyzed. RESULTS: Routine angiography 2 months and 1 year after OLT demonstrated a normal anastomosis or low-grade stenosis in 82% and 84% of the patients (hepatic artery) and in 88% and 84% (portal vein), respectively. High-grade stenosis occurred in 9% and 5% of the patients (hepatic artery) and in 3% and 5% (portal vein). Hepatic artery occlusion and portal vein occlusion were observed in two and seven patients and in one and three patients, respectively. In 76% of patients, the anastomotic site of the hepatic artery did not change significantly. In eight patients, a normal anastomosis or a low- or medium-grade stenosis developed into high-grade stenosis or occlusion. Conversely, in nine patients, medium- or high-grade stenosis developed into a normal anastomosis or a low-grade stenosis. In all eight patients who initially had a high-grade stenosis, the hepatic artery proved to be patent at 1 year. In 98% of patients, the anastomotic site of the portal vein did not change significantly. In one patient who initially had a normal anastomosis, occlusion was found at I year. CONCLUSIONS: In most patients, routine angiography 2 months and 1 year after OLT demonstrated normal findings or a low-grade stenotic anastomosis of the hepatic artery and portal vein. Significant changes occurred mainly at the anastomotic site of the hepatic artery and could not be predicted by previous angiograms.