COVID-19 pneumonia assessed at a private hospital, a field hospital, and a public-referral hospital: population analysis, chest computed tomography findings, and outcomes.

Objective: To compare a private quaternary referral hospital, a public tertiary hospital, and a field hospital dedicated to patients with COVID-19, regarding patients' characteristics, clinical parameters, laboratory, imaging findings, and outcomes of patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: Retrospective multicenter observational study that assessed the association of clinical, laboratory and CT data of 453 patients with COVID-19, and also their outcomes (hospital discharge or admission, intensive care unit admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and mortality caused by COVID-19). Results: The mean age of patients was 55 years (±16 years), 58.1% of them were male, and 41.9% were female. Considering stratification by the hospital of care, significant differences were observed in the dyspnea, fever, cough, hypertension, diabetes mellitus parameters, and CT score (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in ward admission rates, with a lower rate in the private hospital (40.0%), followed by the public hospital (74.1%), and a higher rate in the field hospital (89.4%). Regarding intensive care unit admission, there was a higher rate in the public hospital (25.2%), followed by the private hospital (15.5%), and a lower rate in the field hospital (9.9%). In the analysis of the discharge and death outcomes, it was found that there was a higher number of patients discharged from the private hospital (94.2%), compared to the field hospital (90.1%) and public hospital (82.3%) and a higher number of deaths in the public hospital (17.7%) compared to the private hospital and field hospital (5.8 and 0% respectively). Conclusion: The analysis of the data regarding the population treated with COVID-19 during the first wave in different levels of care in the public and private health systems in the city of São Paulo revealed statistically significant differences between the populations, reflecting distinct outcomes.

Injecting hemostatic matrix in the path of biopsies: efficacy, potential complications, and the management of such complications.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of injecting hemostatic matrix, as well as the experience of our interventional radiology department in its application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center study with retrospective analysis of the experience of our group in the use of hemostatic gelatin matrix in percutaneous biopsies. RESULTS: In a total of 73 biopsies in different organs, such as the liver, kidney, and spleen, hemostatic gelatin matrix was introduced into the coaxial needle. The only complication observed was migration of the hemostatic matrix to the left kidney collecting system, and that was resolved with clinical treatment. There were no cases of bleeding after the injection of hemostatic matrix. CONCLUSION: The use of hemostatic matrices in the path of percutaneous biopsies is another tool available for consideration in minimally invasive procedures.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a técnica de injeção de matrizes hemostáticas e a experiência do nosso serviço de radiologia intervencionista na sua aplicação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo unicêntrico com análise retrospectiva da experiência do nosso grupo na utilização de matriz hemostática gelatinosa em biópsias percutâneas. RESULTADOS: Foram realizadas 73 biópsias com utilização de matriz hemostática gelatinosa no trajeto da agulha coaxial em diferentes órgãos, como fígado, rim, baço, entre outros. A única complicação observada foi a migração da matriz hemostática para o sistema coletor do rim esquerdo, sendo solucionada com tratamento clínico. Não foram observados casos de sangramento no trajeto das biópsias após a injeção de matrizes hemostáticas. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de matrizes hemostáticas no trajeto de biópsias percutâneas é mais uma ferramenta disponível a ser considerada nos procedimentos minimamente invasivos.

Image-guided percutaneous renal cryoablation: Five years experience, results and follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of our institution in image-guided renal nodules percutaneous cryoablation, evaluating demographic and technical aspects as well as efficacy, safety and follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study approved by our institutional review board. Seventy-one renal tumors evaluated in 60 patients treated with image guided percutaneous renal cryoablation from January 2009 to December 2015. No patient was excluded from study, even those who were lost on follow up. All the procedures were guided both by ultrasound and tomography. An argon and helium based cryoablation machine was used for all treatments. Hydrodissection was performed when the bowel or ureters were within 1 cm (iodinated contrast media in dextrose solution). Complications were assessed by the terminology criteria of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Patients were monitored and evaluated by ultrasound, tomography, MRI and/or PET-CT. RESULTS: In most procedures (91.9%) only one nodule was treated. Nodules had a median size of 1.6 cm. Most nodules (61,9%) were exophytic. Hydrodissection and retrograde warm pyeloperfusion were performed in most procedures. Among all variables evaluated in univariate analysis, nearness of nodule to collecting system and anterior/posterior location were significantly associated with PRCA complications. No other factor evaluated was significantly associated with complications. CONCLUSION: PRCA is solid alternative to traditional surgical therapies for treatment of small renal tumors in wide subset of patients. Medium term evidence shows excellent long-term oncological results, similar to nephrectomy, with minimal risk of major complications.