Score to Predict the Occurrence of Pneumothorax After Computed Tomography-guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Lung Biopsy.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to identify risk factors for post-percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy (PTLB) pneumothorax and to establish and validate a predictive score for pneumothorax occurrence to identify patients eligible for outpatient care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent PTLB between November 1, 2012 and March 1, 2017 were retrospectively evaluated for clinical and radiologic factors potentially related to pneumothorax occurrence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors, and the model coefficient for each factor was used to compute a score. Then, a validation cohort was prospectively evaluated from March 2018 to October 2019. RESULTS: Among the 498 eligible patients in the study cohort, pneumothorax occurred in 124 patients (24.9%) and required drainage in 34 patients (6.8%). Pneumothorax risk factors were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 95% CI 2.28[1.18-4.43]), several passages through the pleura (OR 95% CI 7.71[1.95-30.48]), an anterior biopsy approach (OR 95% CI 6.36 3.82-10.58]), skin-to-pleura distance ≤30 mm (OR 95% CI 2.25[1.09-6.65]), and aerial effusion >10 mm (OR 95% CI 9.27 [5.16-16.65]). Among the 236 patients in the prospective validation cohort, pneumothorax occurred in 18% and 8% were drained. A negative score (<73 points) predicted a probability of pneumothorax occurrence of 7.4% and late evacuation of 2.5% (OR 95% CI respectively 0.18[0.08-0.39] and 0.15[0.04-0.55]) and suggested a reduced length of hospital stay (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: This predictive score for pneumothorax secondary to PTLB has high prognostic performance and accuracy to direct patients toward outpatient management. CLINICAL TRIALS: NCT03488043.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Sleep Apnea in Intensive Care Unit Survivors After SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia.

Background: Sleep apnea (SA) was reported as possibly exacerbating symptoms of COVID-19, a disease induced by SARS-CoV-2 virus. The same comorbidities are common with both pathologies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, characteristics of SA and variation in AHI three months after severe COVID-19 requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients admitted to ICU for severe COVID-19 underwent an overnight home polygraphy 3 months after onset of symptoms, as part of a comprehensive follow-up program (pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk tests and chest CT-scan). Patients with an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 were considered as having SA. We performed a comparative descriptive analysis of 2 subgroups according to the existence, severity of SA and indication for effective SA treatment: patients with absent or mild SA (AHI <15) vs patients with moderate to severe SA (AHI ≥15). Results: Among 68 patients included, 62 (91%) had known comorbidities (34 hypertension, 21 obesity, 20 dyslipidemia, 16 type 2 diabetes). It has been observed a preexisting SA for 13 patients (19.1%). At 3 months, 62 patients (91%) had SA with 85.5% of obstructive events. Twenty-four patients had no or a mild SA (AHI <15) and 44 had moderate to severe SA (AHI ≥15). Ischemic heart disease exclusively affected the moderate to severe SA group. Except for thoracic CT-scan which revealed less honeycomb lesions, COVID-19 symptoms were more severe in the group with moderate to severe SA, requiring a longer curarization, more prone position sessions and more frequent tracheotomy. Conclusion: SA involved 91% of patients in our population at 3 months of severe COVID-19 and was mainly obstructive type. Although SA might be a risk factor as well as consequences of ICU care in severe COVID-19 infection, our results underline the importance of sleep explorations after an ICU stay for this disease.

An Update on the Management of Acute High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism.

Hemodynamic instability and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are the key determinants of short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). High-risk PE encompasses a wide spectrum of clinical situations from sustained hypotension to cardiac arrest. Early recognition and treatment tailored to each individual are crucial. Systemic fibrinolysis is the first-line pulmonary reperfusion therapy to rapidly reverse RV overload and hemodynamic collapse, at the cost of a significant rate of bleeding. Catheter-directed pharmacological and mechanical techniques ensure swift recovery of echocardiographic parameters and may possess a better safety profile than systemic thrombolysis. Further clinical studies are mandatory to clarify which pulmonary reperfusion strategy may improve early clinical outcomes and fill existing gaps in the evidence.

Result of one-year, prospective follow-up of intensive care unit survivors after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Survivors of viral ARDS are at risk of long-term physical, functional and neuropsychological complications resulting from the lung injury itself, but also from potential multiorgan dysfunction, and the long stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recovery profiles after severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in intensive care unit survivors have yet to be clearly defined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The goal of this single-center, prospective, observational study was to systematically evaluate pulmonary and extrapulmonary function at 12 months after a stay in the ICU, in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Eligible patients were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after onset of SARS-CoV-2. Patients underwent physical examination, pulmonary function testing, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, a standardized six-minute walk test with continuous oximetry, overnight home respiratory polygraphy and have completed quality of life questionnaire. The primary endpoint was alteration of the alveolar-capillary barrier compared to reference values as measured by DLCO, at 12 months after onset of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 85 patients (median age 68.4 years, (interquartile range [IQR] = 60.1-72.9 years), 78.8% male) participated in the trial. The median length of hospital stay was 44 days (IQR: 20-60) including 17 days in ICU (IQR: 11-26). Pulmonary function tests were completed at 3 months (n = 85), 6 months (n = 80), and 12 months (n = 73) after onset of symptoms. Most patients showed an improvement in DLCO at each timepoint (3, 6, and 12 months). All patients who normalized their DLCO did not subsequently deteriorate, except one. Chest CT scans were abnormal in 77 patients (96.3%) at 3 months and although the proportion was the same at 12 months, but patterns have changed. CONCLUSION: We report the results of a comprehensive evaluation of 85 patients admitted to the ICU for SARS-CoV-2, at one-year follow-up after symptom onset. We show that most patients had an improvement in DLCO at each timepoint. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registration number: NCT04519320.

Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the hip and knee surgeon: current state and implications for the future.

BACKGROUND: Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) applications have been proven efficient to improve diagnosis, to stratify risk, and to predict outcomes in many respective medical specialties, including in orthopaedics. CHALLENGES AND DISCUSSION: Regarding hip and knee reconstruction surgery, AI/ML have not made it yet to clinical practice. In this review, we present sound AI/ML applications in the field of hip and knee degenerative disease and reconstruction. From osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis and prediction of its advancement, clinical decision-making, identification of hip and knee implants to prediction of clinical outcome and complications following a reconstruction procedure of these joints, we report how AI/ML systems could facilitate data-driven personalized care for our patients.

Scannographic Study of Risk Factors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

BACKGROUND: Current decision about when to operate abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is based only on the maximum aneurysm diameter (MAD). However, small aneurysms still rupture and we can observe very large AAA without any symptom. A simple morphologic analysis could be a tool to assess the risk of rupture. The main objective of this study was to assess the relevance of ratios between MAD and healthy aorta on computed tomography (CT) as a risk factor of AAA rupture. The secondary objective was to evaluate CT signs as risk factors of AAA rupture. METHODS: Retrospective observational bicentric study comparing CT scans of a ruptured AAA group and a control group treated electively was conducted. Appariement 1:1 based on MAD was applied. Ratios between healthy aorta diameters at several levels, celiac trunk (CTR), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), highest renal artery (RA), and the MAD were calculated. The presence of blebs, crescent signs, ruptures of calcifications of the aneurysm sack, and draped aorta were notified. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2016, 38 ruptured AAA and 38 controls were included. Ratios were superior in the rupture group, respectively: MAD/CTR [2.77 (±0.5) versus 2.58 (±0.4) P < 0.095], MAD/SMA [2.92 (±0.7) versus 2.74 (±0.5) P < 0.194], and MAD/RA [3.02 (±0.70) versus 2.76 (±0.5) P < 0.054] but not significatively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated optimal threshold to detect rupture at 2.8 for the ratio MAD/CTR (area under the curve (AUC) 0.593, sensitivity 47.4%, specificity 78.9%), at 3.3 for the ratio MAD/SMA (AUC 0.564, sensitivity 31.6%, specificity 92.1%), and at 3.3 for the ratio MAD/RA (AUC 0.591, sensitivity 31.6%, specificity 94.7%). Bivariate analysis for rupture risk factor showed significance for the three ratios (MAD/CTR > 2.8 [OR = 11 (1.42; 85.20) P < 0.0217], MAD/SMA > 3.3 [OR = 10 (1.28; 78.12) P < 0.0281], and MAD/RA >3.3 [OR = 11.00 (1.42; 85.20) P < 0.0217]). One scannographic sign was more present in the rupture group: crescent sign 36.8% versus 5.3%, P = 0.0007, as well in bivariate analysis [OR = 7 (1.59; 30.80) P < 0.0326]. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, specific ratios when they exceed calculated threshold, seem to be more prone to rupture. We could consider that these measures, easy to apply in clinical practice, would be complementary keys for rupture risk individual assessment.

Elevated D-dimers and lack of anticoagulation predict PE in severe COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose to venous thromboembolism. We determined factors independently associated with computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)-confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalised severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Among all (n=349) patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in a university hospital in a French region with a high rate of COVID-19, we analysed patients who underwent CTPA for clinical signs of severe disease (oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry ≤93% or breathing rate ≥30 breaths·min-1) or rapid clinical worsening. Multivariable analysis was performed using Firth penalised maximum likelihood estimates. RESULTS: 162 (46.4%) patients underwent CTPA (mean±sd age 65.6±13.0 years; 67.3% male (95% CI 59.5-75.5%). PE was diagnosed in 44 (27.2%) patients. Most PEs were segmental and the rate of PE-related right ventricular dysfunction was 15.9%. By multivariable analysis, the only two significant predictors of CTPA-confirmed PE were D-dimer level and the lack of any anticoagulant therapy (OR 4.0 (95% CI 2.4-6.7) per additional quartile and OR 4.5 (95% CI 1.1-7.4), respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified a D-dimer cut-off value of 2590 ng·mL-1 to best predict occurrence of PE (area under the curve 0.88, p<0.001, sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 83.8%). D-dimer level >2590 ng·mL-1 was associated with a 17-fold increase in the adjusted risk of PE. CONCLUSION: Elevated D-dimers (>2590 ng·mL-1) and absence of anticoagulant therapy predict PE in hospitalised COVID-19 patients with clinical signs of severity. These data strengthen the evidence base in favour of systematic anticoagulation, and suggest wider use of D-dimer guided CTPA to screen for PE in acutely ill hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

COVID-19 pneumonia: microvascular disease revealed on pulmonary dual-energy computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism in COVID-19 has been reported in few recent studies. Some works have highlighted pathological changes on lung microvasculature with local pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy that may explain pulmonary artery thrombosis found on pulmonary computed tomography (CT) angiography. The objective of our study was to describe lung perfusion disorders assessed by pulmonary dual-energy CT (DECT) angiography in severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This single center retrospective study included 85 consecutive patients with a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 who underwent a pulmonary DECT angiography between March 16th 2020 and April 22th 2020. Pulmonary DECT angiography was performed when the patient had severe clinical symptoms or suffered from active neoplasia or immunosuppression. Two chest radiologists performed pulmonary angiography analysis in search of pulmonary artery thrombosis and a blinded semi quantitative analysis of iodine color maps focusing on the presence of parenchymal ischemia. The lung parenchyma was divided into volumes based on HU values. DECT analysis included lung segmentation, total lungs volume and distribution of lung perfusion assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (34%) were diagnosed with pulmonary artery thrombosis, mainly segmental (83%). Semi-quantitative analysis revealed parenchymal ischemia in 68% patients of the overall population, with no significant difference regarding absence or presence of pulmonary artery thrombosis (23 vs. 35, P=0.144). Inter-reader agreement of parenchymal ischemia between reader 1 and 2 was substantial [0.74; interquartile range (IQR): 0.59-0.89]. Volume of ischemia was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary artery thrombosis [29 (IQR, 8-100) vs. 8 (IQR, 0-45) cm3, P=0.041]. Lung parenchyma was divided between normal parenchyma (59%, of which 34% was hypoperfused), ground glass opacities (10%, of which 20% was hypoperfused) and consolidation (31%, of which 10% was hypoperfused). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary perfusion evaluated by iodine concentration maps shows extreme heterogeneity in COVID-19 patients and lower iodine levels in normal parenchyma. Pulmonary ischemic areas were more frequent and larger in patients with pulmonary artery thrombosis. Pulmonary DECT angiography revealed a significant number of pulmonary ischemic areas even in the absence of visible pulmonary arterial thrombosis. This may reflect microthrombosis associated with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Acute Pulmonary Embolism Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia Detected with Pulmonary CT Angiography.

Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Correlation between a continent ileocecal valve and CT signs of severity in patients presenting with obstructive colonic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of a continent ileocecal valve and the degree of severity of the CT signs in patients presenting with large bowel obstruction due to colonic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients undergoing emergency surgery for confirmed obstructive colonic cancer were included. The CT examinations were analyzed without consultation of the surgical results. For each patient, the diameter of the cecum at its widest point and that of the last ileal loop were measured. The ileocecal valve was considered incontinent when there was a distension of the last ileal loop greater than or equal to 25 mm. Below 25 mm, the ileocecal valve was considered continent. The presence of CT signs of severity of the LBO was noted, i.e., intestinal pneumatosis, absence of contrast enhancement of the large bowel wall, defect in the large bowel wall, and presence of extra-digestive air and ascites. RESULTS: Among the 66 patients included, 42 had an incontinent ileocecal valve and 24 had a continental ileocecal valve. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the diametrical measurements of the cecum's widest point (mean diameter measured at 10.3 cm in patients with continent ileocecal valve vs 8.4 cm in patients with incontinent ileocecal valve, P = 0.0023). Patients with a continent valve had statistically higher rates of CT severity (79% vs 40%, P < 0.005). Perforation of the cecum remained rare (8%) and was only observed in patients with continent ileocecal valve in our series. CONCLUSION: Continence of the ileocecal valve appears to be statistically correlated both with cecum distension and the presence of CT signs of severity in patients with obstructive colonic cancer. As such, its presence must be retained as a risk factor for a pejorative evolution of this type of LBO and must be specified in the CT report of these patients.

Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm due to a Median Arcuate Ligament Treated Solely by Revascularization of the Celiac Trunk.

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs) are rare, but rupture can occur at any time regardless of the size. We describe here the case of 53-year-old woman who presented with a ruptured PDAA associated with compression of the celiac trunk by the median arcuate ligament. We first performed revascularization of the celiac trunk without intervening on the PDAA because of surgically hostile conditions. We observed complete regression of the PDAA, probably due to the dramatic decrease in inflow to the PDAA, thanks to the revascularization procedure. This prompted us to cancel the secondary endovascular embolization. The patient remained asymptomatic at 3 months.

Is Suprarenal Fixation of Aortic Stent Grafts Really without Consequence on the Renal Function?

BACKGROUND: The renal safety of suprarenal (SR) fixation stent grafts has not been demonstrated yet. The principal objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the type of fixation of stent grafts on the renal function at 1 year, by calculating the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The secondary objective was the evaluation of the morphological repercussion of the implants at the renal level by computed tomography. METHODS: This is a monocentric retrospective study, including all the patients treated electively between 2008 and 2014 with a bifurcated aortic stent graft. We compared the characteristics of the SR and infrarenal (IR) populations and the evolution of the preoperative and 1-year postoperative renal function. Renal function was evaluated by eGFR, according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula, and expressed as mL/min/1.73 m2. Regarding morphological evolution, we sought renal infarctions and thromboses or stenoses of the renal arteries (RAS). RESULTS: During the study period, 102 patients were treated: 42 IR and 60 SR. The populations were comparable in terms of operative risk factors and impaired renal function. Preoperative eGFR was similar (SR 71.7 ± 17.8 vs. IR 70.3 ± 17.5, P = 0.7). There was no variation in eGFR at 1 year in the IR group (-0.9; P = 0.4), whereas a significant decrease was observed in the SR group (-5.6, P < 0.0001), a difference which proved to be significant in the intergroup comparison (P = 0.0065). This difference persisted after the exclusion of the patients in which at least one polar renal artery had been covered (P = 0.019). The proportion of patients with a degradation ≥20% of the eGFR was significantly higher in the SR group (SR 13.3%, n = 8 vs. IR 2.4%, n = 1; P = 0.046). We observed significantly more new or progressing RAS in the SR group (SR 21.67%, n = 13 vs. IR 2.38%, n = 1; P = 0.0035). Overall, 15 infarctions were detected but 9 were due to the cover of a polar artery including 8 in the SR group SR, which were thus excluded (SR 6.7%, n = 4 vs. IR 4.8%, n = 2; P = 0.52). No renal artery thrombosis was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The report of a significant difference in the evolution of the renal function and the progression of renal stenoses makes us wonder about the real harmlessness of SR fixation stent grafts. If further reflection is necessary, their systematic use should be called into question, in particular in the presence of an anatomy authorizing the use of IR fixation stent grafts.

Multi-modal imaging of the subscapularis muscle.

The subscapularis (SSC) muscle is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles, and plays an important role in shoulder motion and stabilization. SSC tendon tear is quite uncommon, compared to the supraspinatus (SSP) tendon, and, most of the time, part of a large rupture of the rotator cuff. Various complementary imaging techniques can be used to obtain an accurate diagnosis of SSC tendon lesions, as well as their extension and muscular impact. Pre-operative diagnosis by imaging is a key issue, since a lesion of the SSC tendon impacts on treatment, surgical approach, and post-operative functional prognosis of rotator cuff injuries. Radiologists should be aware of the SSC anatomy, variability in radiological presentation of muscle or tendon injury, and particular mechanisms that may lead to a SSC injury, such as coracoid impingement. TEACHING POINTS: • Isolated subscapularis (SSC) tendon tears are uncommon. • Classically, partial thickness SSC tendon tears start superomedially and progress inferolaterally. • Long head of biceps tendon medial dislocation can indirectly signify SSC tendon tears. • SSC tendon injury is associated with anterior shoulder instability. • Dynamic ultrasound study of the SSC helps to diagnose coracoid impingement.

Ultrasound-Guided Intermediate Site Greater Occipital Nerve Infiltration: A Technical Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Two studies recently reported that computed tomography (CT) guided infiltration of the greater occipital nerve at its intermediate site allows a high efficacy rate with long-lasting pain relief following procedure in occipital neuralgia and in various craniofacial pain syndromes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided intermediate site greater occipital nerve infiltration. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: This study was conducted at the imaging department of a 1,409 bed university hospital. METHODS: Local institutional review board approval was obtained and written consent was waived. In this retrospective study, 12 patients suffering from refractory occipital neuralgia or craniofacial pain syndromes were included between April and October 2014. They underwent a total of 21 ultrasound-guided infiltrations. Infiltration of the greater occipital nerve was performed at the intermediate site of the greater occipital nerve, at its first bend between obliqus capitis inferior and semispinalis capitis muscles with local anestetics and cortivazol. Technical success was defined as satisfactory diffusion of added iodinated contrast media in the fatty space between these muscles depicted on control CT scan. We also reported first data of immediate block test efficacy and initial clinical efficacy at 7 days, one month, and 3 months, defined by a decrease of at least 50% of visual analog scale (VAS) scores. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 95.24%. Patients suffered from right unilateral occipital neuralgia in 3 cases, left unilateral occipital neuralgia in 2 cases, bilateral occipital neuralgia in 2 cases, migraine in one case, cervicogenic headache in one case, tension-type headache in 2 cases, and cluster headache in one case. Block test efficacy was found in 93.3% (14/15) cases. Clinical efficacy was found in 80% of cases at 7 days, in 66.7% of cases at one month and in 60% of cases at 3 months. No major complications were noted. LIMITATIONS: Some of the limitations of our study include that it represents a single institution. The low number of infiltrations included in this study, for this guidance procedure, is another bias. CONCLUSIONS: This ultrasound-guided infiltration technique appears to be feasible, safe, non-ionizing, and fast when targeting the greater occipital nerve in its intermediate portion. This imaging guidance modality should be used in routine clinical practice. KEY WORDS: Greater occipital nerve, infiltration, ultrasound guidance, corticosteroids, occipital neuralgia, craniofacial pain syndrome.

Does IV contrast extravasation on CT in anticoagulant-related rectus sheath and iliopsoas hematoma predict hematoma expansion and patient outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate if IV contrast extravasation on CT in anticoagulant-related rectus sheath and iliopsoas hematoma predict hematoma expansion and patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients presented with anticoagulation-related spontaneous IP hematoma or RS hematoma and who underwent contrast-enhanced CT exploration, with injection of a contrast material, from January 2012 to January 2015 in our institution were included in this study. Considering the retrospective nature of our study, our institutional review board judged our study to be exempted from ethical approval and no patient consent was required. Computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively analyzed blindly of the evolution and treatment of hematomas. The type of muscle involved; the presence of contrast extravasation after contrast injection; the volume of the hematoma, as well as, clinical and biological results (hemoglobin value g/dL); and for each patient, the type of anticoagulation used, patient's treatment and outcomes were noted. The analyses were conducted using R 3.1.0. All statistical tests were 2-sided, and probability values <0.05 were regarded as significant. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were reviewed. Among 68 patients, 44 (65%) patients presented spontaneous IP hematoma and 24/68 (35%) a RS hematoma. There were 37 men (54%) and 31 (46%) women, ranging from 39 to 93 years with a median age of 75 years. Hemodynamic instability was statistically associated with IP hematomas and large volume of hematoma (p < 0.001). Only 15 patients had follow-up CT, 10 without and with IV contrast, 2 with IV contrast only, and 3 without contrast. Follow-up CT was performed from J0 to J8. Detection of contrast extravasation did not appear related to hemodynamically instability (p = 0.35), to a neurological deficit (p = 1), or to the increase in the volume of the hematoma on follow-up CT (p = 0.81). The different types of anticoagulant were not related to muscular type more than the other (p = 0.9). Among anticoagulant therapy, only vitamin K antagonist therapy was statistically associated with surgery (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: CT extravasation of contrast material in IP and RS hematoma does not appear to be related with clinical criteria of severity, and therefore should not be solely considered as a radiological decision criteria.