Predicting Mechanical Ventilation and Mortality in COVID-19 Using Radiomics and Deep Learning on Chest Radiographs: A Multi-Institutional Study.

In this study, we aimed to predict mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality using computational modeling of chest radiographs (CXRs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This two-center, retrospective study analyzed 530 deidentified CXRs from 515 COVID-19 patients treated at Stony Brook University Hospital and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center between March and August 2020. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), and random forest (RF) machine learning classifiers to predict mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality were trained and evaluated using radiomic features extracted from patients' CXRs. Deep learning (DL) approaches were also explored for the clinical outcome prediction task and a novel radiomic embedding framework was introduced. All results are compared against radiologist grading of CXRs (zone-wise expert severity scores). Radiomic classification models had mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (mAUCs) of 0.78 ± 0.05 (sensitivity = 0.72 ± 0.07, specificity = 0.72 ± 0.06) and 0.78 ± 0.06 (sensitivity = 0.70 ± 0.09, specificity = 0.73 ± 0.09), compared with expert scores mAUCs of 0.75 ± 0.02 (sensitivity = 0.67 ± 0.08, specificity = 0.69 ± 0.07) and 0.79 ± 0.05 (sensitivity = 0.69 ± 0.08, specificity = 0.76 ± 0.08) for mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality prediction, respectively. Classifiers using both expert severity scores and radiomic features for mechanical ventilation (mAUC = 0.79 ± 0.04, sensitivity = 0.71 ± 0.06, specificity = 0.71 ± 0.08) and mortality (mAUC = 0.83 ± 0.04, sensitivity = 0.79 ± 0.07, specificity = 0.74 ± 0.09) demonstrated improvement over either artificial intelligence or radiologist interpretation alone. Our results also suggest instances in which the inclusion of radiomic features in DL improves model predictions over DL alone. The models proposed in this study and the prognostic information they provide might aid physician decision making and efficient resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abdominal Imaging Findings in Critically Ill Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19.

We report findings on abdominal imaging in critically ill children admitted with MIS-C. On sonography, hepatomegaly, nephromegaly, gallbladder wall edema, ascites, intestinal inflammation and mesenteric lymphadenopathy were seen, while CT showed fluid-filled small bowel loops, mural thickening of the terminal ileum, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and moderate ascites.

Normal anterior-posterior diameters of the spinal cord and spinal canal in healthy term newborns on sonography.

BACKGROUND: There are no published normal values for spinal cord and canal diameters in newborns. Spinal cord and spinal canal diameters are assessed subjectively by radiologists without any objective values for the upper limit of normal. OBJECTIVE: To determine normal values for anteroposterior (AP) diameters of the spinal cord and spinal canal on sonography in healthy term newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed ultrasound of the entire spine on 37 healthy newborns (23 male, 14 female). The AP diameters of the spinal canal and spinal cord were measured at representative levels of the cervical (C4, C5, C6), thoracic (T5, T6, T7, T8) and lumbar spine (lumbar enlargement and above and below the lumbar enlargement level). Statistical analysis was performed to determine the mean and standard deviation of the spinal canal and spinal cord AP diameter at each aforementioned vertebral level, and their correlations with birth weight, length and head circumference. RESULTS: The mean AP spinal cord diameter was 4.1±0.5 mm at the cervical level, 3.3±0.3 mm at the thoracic level and 4.4±0.6 mm at the lumbar level. The mean AP spinal canal diameter was 7.7±0.7 mm at the cervical level, 6.2±0.8 mm at the thoracic level, and 8.4±0.7 mm at the lumbar level. CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, we have determined normal values for AP diameters of the spinal cord and spinal canal on sonography in healthy newborns at representative cervical, thoracic and lumbar levels. This data may assist in evaluating the neonatal spine in clinical situations such as suspected spinal cord injury.

Predicting Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 using Radiomics and Deep Learning on Chest Radiographs: A Multi-Institutional Study.

We predict mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality using computational modeling of chest radiographs (CXRs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This two-center, retrospective study analyzed 530 deidentified CXRs from 515 COVID-19 patients treated at Stony Brook University Hospital and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center between March and August 2020. DL and machine learning classifiers to predict mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality were trained and evaluated using patient CXRs. A novel radiomic embedding framework was also explored for outcome prediction. All results are compared against radiologist grading of CXRs (zone-wise expert severity scores). Radiomic and DL classification models had mAUCs of 0.78+/-0.02 and 0.81+/-0.04, compared with expert scores mAUCs of 0.75+/-0.02 and 0.79+/-0.05 for mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality prediction, respectively. Combined classifiers using both radiomics and expert severity scores resulted in mAUCs of 0.79+/-0.04 and 0.83+/-0.04 for each prediction task, demonstrating improvement over either artificial intelligence or radiologist interpretation alone. Our results also suggest instances where inclusion of radiomic features in DL improves model predictions, something that might be explored in other pathologies. The models proposed in this study and the prognostic information they provide might aid physician decision making and resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the lumbosacral spine of a toddler: Periarticular osteopenia in a rare location.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a group of childhood inflammatory arthropathies that affects multiple joints including the spine, particularly the cervical region. There is paucity of literature regarding JIA in the lumbosacral spine; the few published studies which discuss imaging findings in the lumbosacral spine only include cohorts of older children and adolescents. We present a 22-month-old boy with refusal to walk, in which plain radiographs and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine suggested a diagnosis of JIA.

Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeds: False-Negative and False-Positive Tests.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding in infants and children is a symptom with a broad differential diagnosis. The diagnosis depends on the quantity and quality of the bleeding and on the patient's age. We describe a case of a 10-month-old infant who presented to our pediatric emergency department 4 times with lower gastrointestinal bleeding before a diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum was made. Although this pathology was strongly suspected at an earlier visit, the initial Meckel scan result was interpreted as normal, and the result of a stool test for Clostridium difficile was positive. The case illustrates that repeat scintigraphy might be necessary when significant bleeding is present even if the results of other tests for diagnosis are positive.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver mimicking venolymphatic malformation.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a primitive hepatic neoplasm that presents in a variety of forms on ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In this case report, we present an UESL with fluid-fluid cysts mimicking a radiographic presentation commonly seen in venolymphatic malformation on magnetic resonance imaging. This is the first described case of UESL, with this radiographic presentation and outlines, the importance of considering this malignant lesion when evaluating liver tumors in children.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Subhepatic Abscess Presenting as Pylorospasm in a Neonate.

Pylorospasm can present with sonographic findings similar to hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. We present a rare case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subhepatic abscess causing pylorospasm in a neonate.

Urosepsis and postrenal acute renal failure in a neonate following circumcision with Plastibell device.

Plastibell is one of the three most common devices used for neonatal circumcision in the United States, with a complication rate as low as 1.8%. The Plastibell circumcision device is commonly used under local anesthesia for religious circumcision in male neonates, because of cosmetic reasons and ease of use. Occasionally, instead of falling off, the device may get buried under the skin along the shaft of the penis, thereby obstructing the normal flow of urine. Furthermore, the foreskin of neonates is highly vascularized, and hence, hemorrhage and infection are possible when the skin is cut. Necrosis of penile skin, followed by urethral obstruction and renal failure, is a serious surgical mishap requiring immediate corrective surgery and medical attention. We report a case of fulminant urosepsis, acute renal failure, and pyelonephritis in a 4-day-old male neonate secondary to impaction of a Plastibell circumcision device. Immediate medical management was initiated with fluid resuscitation and mechanical ventilation; thereby correcting life threatening complications. Pediatricians and Emergency Department physicians should be cognizant of the complications from Plastibell circumcision device in order to institute appropriate and timely management in neonates.

Right lower-quadrant pain-more than one diagnosis.

When a patient presents with right-lower-quadrant pain in the emergency room, the diagnosis of appendicitis must always be considered, but the differential diagnosis for this symptom includes many other etiologies. We describe a case of an 8-year-old girl with von Willebrand disease who presented with right-lower-quadrant pain and was found to have an appendiceal wall hematoma. During her evaluation, an ultrasound of the abdomen was performed, and the results were initially interpreted as an intussusception. Although ultrasound is a highly reliable way to diagnose appendicitis and intussusception, the case illustrates that the thickened abdominal wall that occurs in a mural hematoma can appear like the "target sign" that is usually associated with intussusception, and in certain clinical scenarios, alternative forms of imaging may be of value.

Sonographic findings in a fatal case of transient myeloproliferative disorder.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder is a unique disease in infants with Down syndrome that typically resolves spontaneously. In this report, we present a fatal case of transient myeloproliferative disorder with unusual sonographic findings including adrenal gland enlargement and thickening of the corpus callosum.

Single-incision technique for tunneled central venous access.

PURPOSE: To describe the authors' experience in using a single-incision technique for placing implantable chest ports and tunneled dialysis catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implantable chest ports and tunneled dialysis catheters were placed in 130 consecutive unselected patients aged 18 to 81 years over a 6-month period. A micropuncture needle bent into a C shape was used to access the internal jugular vein (IJV) from an infraclavicular access under real-time ultrasonographic (US) guidance. A microwire and sheath were then passed into the superior vena cava; this was followed by placement of the tunneled catheter either through a peel-away sheath (implantable chest port) or de novo over the wire (tunneled dialysis catheter). Technical success of procedure performance, total US and procedure times, and adverse procedural outcomes were documented for each case. Follow-up for infections and catheter outcomes was performed, with an average follow-up of 2 months. RESULTS: One hundred thirty of the 131 placements were successful. Fifty-eight implantable chest ports and 72 tunneled dialysis catheters were placed. Four implantable chest ports and 16 tunneled dialysis catheters were placed via the left IJV; the remainder were placed via the right IJV. There were no procedure-related complications. The average US and total procedure times were the same as those for a conventional technique. The lack of a second incision in the lower neck improved the cosmetic result. CONCLUSIONS: The single-incision technique for tunneled central venous access is feasible and safe. Total US and procedure times are within the range of those with a conventional technique. Cosmetically, this technique is superior to the conventional technique.

Technical challenges in TIPS creation via the right subclavian vein.

This report describes a 64-year-old man with Laennec cirrhosis requiring a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to alleviate ascites before surgical mesh repair of a large symptomatic umbilical hernia. During the procedure, both internal jugular veins and the right external jugular vein were found to be occluded. The right subclavian vein was accessed and a TIPS was successfully created. Some of the technical challenges encountered in performing the procedure from the right subclavian vein are described.

De novo placement of a tunneled dialysis catheter over a wire with the single-incision technique.

The authors describe a technique for the de novo placement of a tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) over a wire. With use of a micropuncture needle bent into a C shape, the internal jugular vein was accessed under real-time ultrasonographic guidance from the expected catheter exit location in the deltopectoral fossa. The TDC was placed over the wire alone, without the use of a peel-away sheath. Twelve TDCs were successfully placed with this technique without any complications at an average follow-up of 2 months.