The wearable cardioverter defibrillator as a bridge to reimplantation in patients with ICD or CRT-D-related infections.

BACKGROUND: The approach to treat device infection in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) is a challenging procedure. Optimal treatment is complete extraction of the infected device. To protect these patients from sudden cardiac arrest while waiting for reimplantation and to avoid recurrent infection, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) seems to be a valuable solution. Therefore, we investigated the management and outcome of patients with ICD or CRT-D infections using the WCD as a bridge to re-implantation after lead extraction procedures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive patients who underwent ICD or CRT-D removal due to device-related local or systemic infections. All patients were prescribed a WCD at our center between 01/2012 and 10/2015. All patients returned to our outpatient clinic for regular ICD or CRT-D monitoring initially 1 and 3 months after reimplantation followed by 6-months intervals. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (mean age 65.0 ± 8.0 years, male 76.2%) were included in the study. Complete lead extraction was achieved in all patients. While waiting for reimplantation one patient experienced a symptomatic episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia. This episode was converted successfully into sinus rhythm by a single 150 J shock. Mean follow-up time 392 ± 206 days, showing survival rate of 100% and freedom from reinfection in all patients. CONCLUSION: The WCD seems to be a valuable bridging option for patients with ICD or CRT-D infections, showing no recurrent device infection.

Outcome analysis of noninstrumented anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion in 348 patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one outcome and outcome-relevant variables (fusion and patient satisfaction) were evaluated in a subset of 348 of 514 patients operated on by one surgeon during a 22-year period, using Cloward's anterior cervical discectomy and dowel interbody fusion. Minimum patient follow-up was 2 years; average length of follow-up was 5.2 years. This retrospective analysis is accompanied by a comprehensive review of the literature (1975-1996) of noninstrumented anterior cervical fusions, excluding fibular grafts alone in the interbody space. OBJECTIVES: To provide data on outcome (with regard to patient satisfaction and radiologically supported fusion) and risks of noninstrumented anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for intractable cervical nerve root and spinal cord compression symptoms at single or multiple levels, using the results from a single surgeon. METHODS: Three experienced spine radiologists determined fusion rates in one to five levels in 348 patients on the basis of the results of plain film analysis. Patient self-assessment was used to determine degree of patient satisfaction and other related variables. From a comprehensive review of the literature, 43 clinical reports meeting requirements for comparison of findings with those in the current study were selected from more than 1600 reports. RESULTS: The mean fusion rate for 348 patients in the current study ranged from 75% (multilevel) to 88% (one level; n = 202). The overall fusion rate was 83%. The persistent complication rate was 0.1%, and patient self-assessments showed that 78% were satisfied with the outcome and that 83% returned to work. The overall fusion rate for 2037 patients evaluated in the comprehensive literature review is 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that better outcome in noninstrumented anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is associated with solid fusion, fewer fused levels, nonsmoking patients, higher education levels, and absence of secondary economic gain. There was no correlation between fusion status and bone graft source or use of cervical collar.

National standardization of fetal monitoring terminology and competency validation: a call for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Although the literature supports standardization of fetal monitoring terminology and practice, national published guidelines have not recommended or outlined a mechanism for accomplishing the goal of standardization. Topics discussed in this article include the effect of fetal monitoring on perinatal morbidity, terminology and significance of fetal monitoring, and the need for, and process of, competency validation. Some individual hospitals have developed competency validation programs for nurses, but less often provide staff physicians with similar opportunities. Recommendations are outlined that include multidisciplinary development of standardized guidelines that consist of mechanisms for competency validation for all obstetric care providers.

Oral-surgeon-reported incidence of complications related to simple extractions in adults.

This study examined the incidence of complications related to simple forceps extractions in male and female adults. A total of 413 patients (156 young adults, 150 middle-aged, and 107 older adults) presenting for extraction in the practices of 20 privately practicing oral surgeons was followed prospectively for a 30-day period. A total of 74 patients had complications. No age differences were found in the incidence of operative or postoperative complications. Reasons for extraction, number of teeth extracted, or the time required for extraction did not vary among the age groups. Oral surgeons were more likely to prescribe postoperative analgesic medications to patients already on medications. Tendency to prescribe analgesic medications was unrelated to patient age. Results indicate that among community-dwelling adults, age is not a risk factor for complications resulting from simple extractions.

Acute spinal ligament disruption: MR imaging with anatomic correlation.

Disruption of spinal ligaments can lead to instability that jeopardizes the spinal cord and nerve roots. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can directly image spinal ligaments; however, the sensitivity with which this modality demonstrates ligament injury has, to the authors' knowledge, not been reported. On a biomechanical testing machine, 28 cadaveric spines were subjected to controlled injury that resulted in ligament tears. The spines were then imaged with plain radiography, computed tomography, and MR imaging (1.5 T). The images were analyzed for evidence of ligament injury before dissection of the specimen. Forty-one of 52 (79%) ligament tears of various types were correctly identified at MR imaging. Disruptions of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments were most conspicuous and were detected in all seven cases in which they were present (no false-positive or false-negative results); disruptions of the ligamentum flavum, capsular ligaments, and interspinous ligaments could also be identified but less reliably (three false-positive and 11 false-negative results). That MR imaging can reliably and directly allow assessment of spinal ligament disruption in this in vitro model suggests its potential utility for this assessment in patients.

Quality improvement and managed care as curriculum elements.

The authors describe a clinical course that incorporates practical experience in continuous quality improvement, case management, managed care, and healthcare systems analysis. Increasingly, nurses need to know and be able to use these concepts; therefore, they were added to the nursing curriculum. Although nursing students are able to articulate leadership and management theories, their ability to apply them is limited by lack of experience. This course is designed to provide a practical experience base that students may draw from upon entry into practice.

The dental status of dentate institutionalized older adults: consideration of retained roots.

Many studies have described the general dental findings in institutionalized older patients, but few studies have used standard dental indices to describe the dental status of these populations. Eighty-five dentate nursing home residents were examined by a single dentist. Dental findings were reported by means of the DMFS, DMFT, and RCI indices along with the D/DFS ratio for coronal and root caries. The mean DMFS, DMFT, and RCI were 97.0, 22.9, and 28.7%, respectively. The percentages of untreated coronal and root caries lesions, as measured by the D/DFS ratios were 65.4% and 85.4%, respectively. Forty-eight percent of the subjects had at least one retained root, with a mean of 1.0 for all 85 subjects. None of the dental findings was statistically significant in association with age, gender, or length of stay in the institution. In the population examined, no statistical or clinical differences in relation to age, gender, or length of stay in the institution were found. The dental status of a dentate older adult population can be accurately described by means of the standardized indices of DMFS, DMFT, and RCI along with the D/DFS ratios, with the caveat that these indices must be interpreted differently than when used with pediatric populations. Retained roots present a fifth surface at risk for root caries, the occlusal surface. The role of the occlusal root surface in the dental status of a population needs to be reported and analyzed.

Detection of migratory silicone pseudotumor with use of magnetic resonance imaging.

A patient with silicone gel breast implants, who experienced capsular contracture of the left breast that was treated by closed capsulotomy, sought medical attention because of numbness and pain in the left medial forearm and hand. Inflammatory masses subsequently developed in the left anterior axillary and antecubital regions. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed silicone pseudotumors, and mammography confirmed implant rupture and gel extrusion along fascial planes into the axillary region.

Radiographic and geometric anatomy of the scapula.

In an effort to study anatomic parameters of the scapula that may be of clinical importance, scapulae were harvested from cadavers and stripped of their soft tissues. For each scapula, three roentgenograms then were obtained: a Y-scapular view, an axillary lateral view, and a glenoid fossa (or true anteroposterior) view. Computed tomographic pneumoarthrograms and randomly selected antero-posterior chest roentgenograms of skeletally mature adults were studied also to measure further roentgenographic parameters of the normal scapula. The geometric anatomy of the scapula is of fundamental importance in the pathomechanics of rotator cuff disease, total shoulder arthroplasty, and recurrent shoulder dislocation. This study presents in detail the exact geometry of scapula anatomy, giving precise figures for distances, angles, and radii of curvature of the scapula. All results then are discussed in terms of their clinical relevance to the above problems.

The "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome.

A patient developed isolated numbness, 1st confined to the lateral nose and upper lip, but later involving the cheek, lower lip, upper gingiva, and the palate. This numbness was later associated with paresis of the muscles of the upper lip and angle of the mouth and with ipsilateral lower lid droop (the "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome). Squamous cell carcinoma was discovered infiltrating the infraorbital nerve and distal branches of the facial nerve. Cheek numbness associated with lower eyelid or upper lip weakness may herald a neoplasm affecting the infraorbital nerve and distal facial nerve branches.

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets without "rickets".

Wrist and knee radiographs from children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets were analyzed and compared with those from normal children and children with established rickets to assess whether radiographically apparent rickets is a consistent abnormality in X-linked hypophosphatemia. The absence or presence of rickets was correctly identified in 94.8% of wrist and knee films from normal and positive controls. In contrast, patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia exhibited rachitic abnormalities in only 5 of 11 wrist and 13 of 15 knee radiographs. As a result, 4 patients within this study group had rickets at the knee and not at the wrist, whereas 5 displayed classic defects at both sites. Perhaps more important, 2 patients, aged 3.8 and 5.2 years, displayed no evidence of rickets in either wrist or knee films, although relatives exhibited demonstrable rachitic abnormalities. Our data indicate that radiographically detectable rickets is a variable abnormality of X-linked hypophosphatemia and does not provide an unambiguous index for the diagnosis of this disease.

Malignant hemangiopericytoma of the gingiva: report of a case.

A case of malignant hemangiopericytoma arising in the left maxillary gingiva in a 2-year-old boy is presented. This represents an extremely rare intraoral lesion that is impossible to diagnose clinically. Histologic diagnosis was made by use of special staining techniques, immunohistochemical stains, and electron microscopic evaluation. This tumor shows a high incidence of local recurrence with a poor prognosis. The mainstay of treatment is wide local excision and adequate postoperative follow-up.

Aluminum-induced neo-osteogenesis: a generalized process affecting trabecular networking in the axial skeleton.

To determine if aluminum-induced neo-osteogenesis occurs in the axial skeleton, we compared spinal bone density and vertebral histology of beagles treated with aluminum for 8 and 16 weeks to that of untreated normals. Administration of aluminum (1.25 mg/kg) did not alter serum calcium, phosphorus, or creatinine but did result in a significant elevation of vertebral bone density, measured by quantitative computed tomography, after both 8 (286.7 +/- 12.4 mg/ml) and 16 (361.7 +/- 46.5 mg/ml) weeks of treatment compared with controls (212.2 +/- 4.5 mg/ml). In accord with the increased bone density, biopsies from the spine displayed evidence of neo-osteogenesis, including the presence of woven bone, both mineralized and unmineralized, within the marrow space. The genesis of such woven bone units resulted after 16 weeks in a significant increase in trabecular bone volume, woven and lamellar (51.2 +/- 4.4 versus 32.4 +/- 1.2%; p less than 0.05), woven bone volume (9.1 +/- 3.6 versus 0 +/- 0%; p less than 0.05), and trabecular number (4.5 +/- 0.3 versus 3.5 +/- 0.2 per mm; p less than 0.05). In addition, scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the bone biopsies confirmed the existence of new trabecular plates that provided interconnections between existent units. These observations illustrate that aluminum-induced neo-osteogenesis positively influences trabecular networking in the axial skeleton. Such enhancement of bone histogenesis contrasts with the effects of other pharmacologic agents that solely alter the thickness of existing trabecular plates or rods within the vertebral spongiosa.

Cervical spondylolysis: imaging findings in 12 patients.

Cervical spondylolysis is defined as a corticated cleft between the superior and inferior articular facets of the articular pilar, the cervical equivalent of the pars interarticularis in the lumbar spine. Associated dysplastic changes and spina bifida suggest that the lesion is congenital. It is a rare condition; only 70 cases have been previously reported in the world literature. Recognition of this disorder and differentiation from traumatic articular pilar fracture or dislocation is of paramount importance in patients who have had cervical spine trauma. The present study details radiologic features in 12 patients 20-80 years old with cervical spondylolysis. Plain film radiologic findings were correlated with hypocycloidal high-resolution tomography (nine patients), CT (six patients), and MR imaging (one patient). Seven patients had spondylolysis at C6 (three bilateral) and five had the abnormality at C4 (all unilateral). Nine of 12 patients were initially misdiagnosed. Characteristic radiologic features include (1) a well-marginated cleft between the facets, (2) a triangular configuration of the pilar fragments on either side of the spondylolytic defect, (3) posterior displacement of the dorsal triangular pillar fragment, (4) hypoplasia of the ipsilateral pedicle, (5) spina bifida at the involved level, and (6) compensatory hyper- or hypoplasia of the ipsilateral articular pillars at the level above and/or below the defect. A multistudy approach was often necessary to demonstrate these findings. Heightened awareness of the radiologic features of cervical spondylolysis should allow one to differentiate it from articular pillar fracture or dislocation.

Imaging of tumoral calcinosis: new observations.

Five patients with tumoral calcinosis were evaluated with radiography, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The arthropathy of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease was seen in two of the patients and pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like syndrome in three. Identification of calcific particular masses on radiographs is characteristic of tumoral calcinosis. Marrow lesions could be identified as patchy areas of calcification (calcific myelitis) in long bones and the calvarium. Bone scintigraphy appears to be the best modality for detection of the masses and marrow lesions and for monitoring therapy. At CT the masses demonstrated a varied appearance, from small and solid to large and cystic. The marrow abnormality appears as an area of increased attenuation and spotty calcification that in the skull may be associated with dural and vascular calcifications. MR imaging of the particular masses was remarkable in that the masses displayed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images despite a large calcific component. Marrow lesions also showed increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. When calcified particular masses are present the diagnosis is rarely in question. The diagnosis may be overlooked, however, when calcific myelitis is the only manifestation.

Computed tomography of hamstring muscle strains.

Acute hamstring muscle strains occurring in ten college athletes were evaluated using computed tomography to identify the location and characteristics of these common injuries. Acute muscle strains appeared as areas of hypodensity within the muscle 1-2 d following injury. This suggests that inflammation and edema are the major component of injury, not bleeding as commonly assumed. Injuries were seen most commonly in the proximal and lateral portions of the hamstring muscle group, particularly in the biceps femoris.

Herniation pits of the femoral neck: appearance at MR imaging.

Herniation pits of the femoral neck are benign lesions recognized because of their characteristic appearance and location on plain radiographs. The appearance of this lesion in seven magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of the hips in five patients is described. MR revealed a well-marginated, round to oval defect in the superior lateral quadrant of the femoral neck with anterior cortical extension in all cases. With T1 weighting the signal intensity within each lesion was uniformly low. All but one case revealed a peripheral margin of absent signal intensity on T2-weighted and out-of-phase images. The MR appearance and location are sufficiently characteristic to allow identification of this lesion and aid in differentiating it from pathologic processes such as avascular necrosis, with which it may be confused.

[Mercury concentrations in blood and urine before and after placement of non-gamma 2 amalgam fillings]. / Quecksilberkonzentration in Blut und Urin vor und nach dem Legen von Non-gamma 2-Amalgamfüllungen.

The object of the study was to determine whether mercury concentrations in blood and urine were increased directly after placement of non-gamma 2-amalgam fillings. Our cohort consisted of 45 subjects, male and female, age between 19 and 45 years, who had amalgam fillings and were not exposed to mercury on their jobs. Thirty subjects received non-gamma 2-amalgam fillings, 15 did get new fillings. Cold, flameless atom absorption spectrometry was used to analyze mercury levels in blood and urine samples before and for 24 hours after placement of the amalgam fillings at one hour intervals. Mercury concentrations in blood (before and after) and - before placement of new non-gamma 2-amalgam fillings - in urin were below the normal upper limit in all 45 subjects. Mercury concentrations in urin after placement of new fillings did not show any increase over 24 hours. Median values varied between 1.0 and 2.1 micrograms Hg/g creatinine and thus were also within the normal range.