ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Catecholamine secreting tumors are a rare type of neuroendocrine tumors whose embryological origin is neural crest cells. 80 % to 90 % arise from the chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla while 10 % to 20 % arise from sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia. Paragangliomas can be symptomatic due to excess catecholamine secretion or can be asymptomatic. Definitive treatment of paragangliomas is surgical resection. CASE: A 16 yr old male who presented with right iliac fossa pain and hypertension associated with headache and transient loss of sight. Contrasted CT scan of the abdomen revealed a para-aortic retroperitoneal mass, 24 h urine Normetanephrines were significantly elevated. Pre-operative patient preparation included administration of alpha blockers then later beta blockers with adequate hydration. Intra operative blood pressure elevation during tumor manipulation managed with intravenous beta blockers. Post operatively patient required no inotropic support or anti hypertensives. Histopathology revealed features suggestive of a paraganglioma and immunohistochemistry s100 (+) Chromogranin A (+). DISCUSSION: Functional paragangliomas are manifested by symptoms that result from catecholamine hypersecretion. Biochemical confirmation and functional localization of the tumors is recommended. Definitive management is surgical resection with a pre requisite of adequate patient preparation which includes blood pressure control and volume replacement. CONCLUSION: Tumor localisation and adequate patient preparation with alpha blockers and adequate hydration is an important prerequisite to surgical resection.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Various suprapubic catheter insertion simulators have been described to aid in the training of this fundamental skill. The purpose of this review was to evaluate and critically appraise all validated simulators. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, British Medical Journal and the Embase databases were searched (March 2018), by using key search terms "suprapubic trainer", "suprapubic model", "suprapubic simulation" and "suprapubic simulator". RESULTS: A total of 196 articles were identified; 117 unrelated, 53 animal studies and 20 duplications. Only 6 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. The median number of participants per study was 30.5. Material costs ranged from 1.71 to 60 dollars per model. Only 2 studies incorporated the use of ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Despite validated suprapubic catheter insertion models being a specially needed learning resource, only few have been described-mostly for not resourceful environments. There exists a general lack of guidelines on model validation processes. There is a need to develop, appropriately validate and integrate models into training curriculum.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To validate the newly designed ultrasound-guided suprapubic catheter insertion trainer (US-SCIT) model against the real life experience by enrolling participants with prior confidence in the technique of US-guided suprapubic catheter (SPC) insertion. METHODS: The US-SCIT was self-constructed from common disposables and equipment found in the emergency department. A validation questionnaire was completed by all participants after SPC insertion on the US-SCIT model. RESULTS: Fifty participants enrolled in the study. Each participant had reported confidence in the SPC insertion technique, prior to participation in this study. There were 13 "super-users" (>65 previous successful real life SPC insertions) in the study. The total material cost per US-SCIT unit was 1.71 USD. The US-SCIT's value in understanding the principals of US-guided SPC insertion had a mean score of 8.86 (standard deviation [SD] 1.03), whereas its value in simulating contextual anatomy had a mean score of 8.26 (SD 1.48). The mean score of the model's ability to provide realistic sensory feedback was 8.12 (SD 1.78), whereas that of realism of initial urine outflow was 9.06 (SD 1.20). Simulation with the model compared well with real life SPC insertion, with a mean score of 8.30 (SD1.48). CONCLUSIONS: The US-SCIT model performed well in various spheres developed to assess its ability to simulate real life SPC insertion. We are confident that this low-cost, validated, US compatible SPC trainer, constructed from common material present in the ED, will be a valuable learning asset to trainees across the globe.
