Reducing Abdominal Radiographs to Diagnose Constipation in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of abdominal radiographs obtained in healthy children aged 6 months to 18 years to diagnose constipation in a pediatric emergency department, and evaluate the impact of quality improvement (QI) interventions on their use. STUDY DESIGN: QI study over 2.5 years at a large urban quaternary care children's hospital emergency department. Interventions consisted of educational presentations and individualized abdominal radiograph data reporting. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of abdominal radiographs performed on healthy patients discharged home with a diagnosis of constipation before and after QI interventions. RESULTS: The baseline total percentage of abdominal radiographs performed in otherwise healthy children discharged home with a diagnosis of constipation was 36% (October 2016 to January 2018). According to questionnaire results, ruling out obstruction was the most common reason for ordering an abdominal radiograph. After the QI interventions, the total percentage of abdominal radiograph decreased to 18% (April 2018 to March 2019). This 18% decrease was significant (P < .001) and sustained over a 12-month follow-up period. Throughout the study period, the average length of stay was 1.07 hours longer for children who had an abdominal radiograph. Clinically important return visits to the emergency department were uncommon during the postintervention phase (125/1830 [6.8%]), and not associated with whether or not an abdominal radiograph was performed at the initial visit. CONCLUSION: After these QI interventions, we noted a significant and sustained decrease in the percentage of abdominal radiographs obtained for otherwise healthy patients discharged home with a diagnosis of constipation.

Mesotelioma pleural maligno en ocho pacientes y revisión del tema / Malignant pleural mesothelioma in eight patients and review of topic

Se actualizan aspectos etiopatogénicos, clínicos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos en el mesotelioma pleural maligno, enfermedad temida e infrecuente en nuestro medio. Nos impresionó sobremanera, una profesional de salud tratada recientemente y en etapa temprana que apenas sobrevivió un año. El objetivo es elevar el conocimiento sobre el tema para tratar de mejorar la sobrevida. Se presentan una síntesis de ocho pacientes estudiados y tratados con este diagnóstico en los hospitales "Amalia Simoni", "Manuel Ascunce Domenech", "Madam Curie" de Camagüey y el "Martín Chang Puga" de Nuevitas desde 1998 hasta 2015, señalando el cuadro clínico, exámenes complementarios, diagnóstico, tratamiento médico quirúrgico y los resultados. Más de la mitad de los pacientes eran fumadores con pequeño derrame pleural inicial que hicieron pensar en la enfermedad, todo lo contrario cuando no existió derrame. Hubo tres enfermos donde el diagnóstico nos sorprendió por lo inesperado. La sobrevida fue baja con una media alrededor de 11 meses, solo uno vivió dos años. Los complementarios utilizados se ajustan a otros reportes y nuestras posibilidades. El tratamiento fue actualizado y acorde a otras series en el momento del diagnóstico. Se compara nuestra casuística, la cual se asemeja a publicaciones foráneas en cuanto a diagnóstico, tratamiento y sobrevida. Señalamos que, independiente de algunos recursos desde el punto de vista diagnóstico y terapéutico con que no contamos, los resultados se ajustan a la literatura actual y la sobrevida lograda fue sin dudas, adversa(AU)

Several etiopathogenetic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the malignant pleural mesothelioma, fearful and infrequent disease in our context, are updated. It was really impressive the case of a female health professional that was recently treated at early stage of disease and barely survived one year. The objective of this review was to raise the level of knowledge on this disease in oder to improve survival rates. To this end, eight patients with this diagnosis, who were studied and treated in "Amalia Simoni", "Manuel Ascunce Domenech", "Madame Curie" hospitals in Camaguey and in "Martin Chang Puga" in Nuevitas from 1998 to 2015 were presented. Their clinical picture, supplementary tests, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment and final results were described. Half of them were smokers with initial small pleural effusion that made the specialists suspect the existence of the disease. There were three patients whose diagnoses surprised the physicians because they were unexpected. Survival was low and the average survival rate was 11 months, although one managed to live two years. The indicated supplementary tests were similar to those of other reports and adjusted to our setting. Treatment was updated and consistent with other series at the time of diagnosis. The casuistry in our conditions was compared to others and it was similar in terms of diagnosis, treatment and survival rates to the one shown in foreign publication. Regardless of some unavailable diagnostic and therapeutic resources, the results of the treatment agree with those of the current literature on the topic and the survival rate was undoubtedly negative(AU)

Educational Module Improves Emergency Department Evaluation for Suspected Constipation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine abdominal radiograph use and frequency of digital rectal examinations in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain and suspected constipation and to determine the impact of an educational module on their use. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients evaluated at a pediatric ED because of the complaint of abdominal pain who had the discharge diagnosis of constipation over two 2-month periods, one before and one after an educational module. RESULTS: Comparing pre- and posteducational module periods, there was a significant decrease in abdominal radiograph utilization (69.5% vs 26.4%, respectively, P ≤ .001) and significant increase in performance of digital rectal examination (22.9% vs 47.3%, respectively, P ≤ .001). We demonstrated a 33.6% reduction in abdominal radiograph in children who had a digital rectal examination as part of their examination. Overall, we demonstrated a 43.1% decrease in patients receiving an abdominal radiograph. When time and costs of an abdominal radiograph are considered, this results in significant cost savings. CONCLUSIONS: An educational module reviewing the established criteria for the diagnosis of constipation and presented to ED providers results in increased use of digital rectal examination and decreased use of abdominal radiograph in patients evaluated for abdominal pain and ultimately diagnosed with constipation. The change also was associated with reduction in cost and time and radiation exposure in the ED for these patients.

Obstrucción intestinal por fitobezoar en un divertículo de Meckel / Phytobezoar-caused intestinal obstruction in a Meckel's diverticulum

El divertículo de Meckel es la anomalía más frecuente del aparato gastrointestinal y, aunque ocurre igualmente en ambos sexos, la presentación de síntomas y complicaciones es más frecuente en el sexo masculino. La obstrucción intestinal es la complicación más común en el adulto. Se reporta el caso clínico de un paciente de 41 años que se presenta con dolor abdominal y vómitos de 12 h de evolución, al cual se le diagnostica una obstrucción intestinal mecánica. La radiografía de abdomen demostró niveles hidroaéreos compatibles con el diagnóstico de obstrucción intestinal. Los hallazgos de la cirugía fueron asas de yeyuno e íleon muy dilatadas, con gran cantidad de líquido en su interior y edema, lo cual fue provocado por un fitobezoar -mayormente de fibras de mango- que ocupaba la luz de un divertículo de Meckel de base ancha. Se resecó un segmento intestinal de 6 cm, donde estaba la base del divertículo, y se practicó una anastomosis primaria en dos planos con sutura discontinua de ácido poliglicólico. El paciente se recuperó sin complicaciones en el posoperatorio(AU)

Meckel's diverticulum is considered the most frequent gastrointestinal anomaly, it occurs equally in both sexes; however, the onset of symptoms and complications are more frequent in male patients Intestinal obstruction is the most common complication in adults. This is the report of a 41-years old patient, who presented with abdominal pain and vomiting for 12 hours; he was diagnosed as mechanical intestinal obstruction. The abdominal X-ray showed fluid levels compatible with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. The findings at surgery were dilated jejunum and ileum loops, with lots of liquid inside and edema caused by a phytobezoar (from mango fibers mainly) that occupied the broad-base Meckel diverticulum lumen. A 6 cm intestinal portion was excised from the diverticulum basis, and it was necessary to perform primary anastomosis with polyglycol acid discontinuous suture. The patient recovered without further complications postoperatively(AU)

Pediatric abdominal radiograph use, constipation, and significant misdiagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of children diagnosed with constipation assigned a significant alternative diagnosis within 7 days (misdiagnosis), if there is an association between abdominal radiograph (AXR) performance and misdiagnosis, and features that might identify children with misdiagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive children <18 years who presented to a pediatric emergency department in Toronto, between 2008 and 2010. Children assigned an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision code consistent with constipation were eligible. Misdiagnosis was defined as an alternative diagnosis during the subsequent 7 days that resulted in hospitalization or an outpatient procedure that included a surgical or radiologic intervention. Constipation severity was classified employing text word categorization and the Leech score. RESULTS: 3685 eligible visits were identified. Mean age was 6.6 ± 4.4 years. AXR was performed in 46% (1693/3685). Twenty misdiagnoses (0.5%; 95% CI 0.4, 0.8) were identified (appendicitis [7%], intussusception [2%, bowel obstruction [2%], other [9%]). AXR was performed more frequently in misdiagnosed children (75% vs 46%; P = .01). These children more often had abdominal pain (70% vs 49%; P = .04) and tenderness (60% vs 32%; P =.01). Children in both groups had similar amounts of stool on AXR (P = .38) and mean Leech scores (misdiagnosed = 7.9 ± 3.4; not misdiagnosed = 7.7 ± 2.9; P = .85). CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnoses in children with constipation are more frequent in those in whom an AXR was performed and those with abdominal pain and tenderness. The performance of an AXR may indicate diagnostic uncertainty; in such cases, the presence of stool on AXR does not rule out an alternative diagnosis.

Survey of doses and frequency of X-ray examinations on children at the intensive care unit of a large reference pediatric hospital.

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to evaluate the entrance surface dose (ESD), the body organ dose (BOD) and the effective dose (E) resulting from pediatric radiological procedures with the use of portable X-ray equipments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The software DoseCal was used to evaluate the doses imparted to patients. The children were classified according to their weight and age groups, and the study included three sectors of the intensive care unit of a large reference pediatric hospital in Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: A total of 518 radiographs have been performed, (424 for chest and 94 for abdomen). The statistical data were compared with previously published results. The BOD is presented for the most exposed organs. CONCLUSION: The mean value of ESD and E varied widely among neonates. The highest number of radiographs per infant peaked 33 for chest examination in the age group 0-1 year.

Evaluación tomográfica de pacientes con complicaciones postquirúrgicas abdominales / Abdominal postoperative complications: CT features

A fin de demostrar la utilidad de la TC para el diagnóstico y eventual tratamiento de las complicaciones postquirúrgicas de la cirugía abdomino-pelviana se realizaron tomografías de abdomen y pelvis administrando a cada paciente contraste oral y endovenoso. Se estudiaron retrospectivamente 70 pacientes elegidos al azar sobre un universo de 305 excluyendo de la muestra a los perdidos para el seguimiento. Valoramos 80 entidades patológicas en las que se evaluó la signología tomográfica y a las que agrupamos en 5 subgrupos: abscesos y/o colecciones 46 (57,5 por ciento), hematomas 11 (13,75 por ciento), fístulas 7 (8,75 por ciento), dehiscencias de suturas 3 (3,75 por ciento) y otros 13 (16,25 por ciento). La TC demostró ser un método confiable en el diagnóstico y la posterior toma de decisiones para una terapeútica adecuada en éste tipo de pacientes (AU)

Evaluación tomográfica de pacientes con complicaciones postquirúrgicas abdominales / Abdominal postoperative complications: CT features

A fin de demostrar la utilidad de la TC para el diagnóstico y eventual tratamiento de las complicaciones postquirúrgicas de la cirugía abdomino-pelviana se realizaron tomografías de abdomen y pelvis administrando a cada paciente contraste oral y endovenoso. Se estudiaron retrospectivamente 70 pacientes elegidos al azar sobre un universo de 305 excluyendo de la muestra a los perdidos para el seguimiento. Valoramos 80 entidades patológicas en las que se evaluó la signología tomográfica y a las que agrupamos en 5 subgrupos: abscesos y/o colecciones 46 (57,5 por ciento), hematomas 11 (13,75 por ciento), fístulas 7 (8,75 por ciento), dehiscencias de suturas 3 (3,75 por ciento) y otros 13 (16,25 por ciento). La TC demostró ser un método confiable en el diagnóstico y la posterior toma de decisiones para una terapeútica adecuada en éste tipo de pacientes