Pulmonary CT angiography in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: Comparison between patients with and without infection and with a pre-pandemic series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To analyze the diagnostic performance of pulmonary CT angiography and to compare different D-dimer cutoffs for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all consecutive pulmonary CT angiography studies done for suspected pulmonary embolism in a tertiary hospital during two time periods: the first December 2020 through February 2021 and the second December 2017 through February 2018. D-dimer levels were obtained less than 24 h before the pulmonary CT angiography studies. We analysed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), and pattern of pulmonary embolism for six different values of D-dimer and the extent of the embolism. During the pandemic period, we also analysed whether the patients had COVID-19. RESULTS: After excluding 29 poor-quality studies, 492 studies were analysed; 352 of these were done during the pandemic, 180 in patients with COVID-19 and 172 in patients without COVID-19. The absolute frequency of pulmonary embolism diagnosed was higher during the pandemic period (34 cases during the prior period and 85 during the pandemic; 47 of these patients had COVID-19). No significant differences were found in comparing the AUCs for the D-dimer values. The optimum values calculated for the receiver operating characteristic curves differed between patients with COVID-19 (2200 mcg/l), without COVID-19 (4800 mcg/l), and diagnosed in the prepandemic period (3200 mcg/l). Peripheral distribution of the emboli was more common in patients with COVID-19 (72%) than in those without COVID-19 and than in those diagnosed before the pandemic [OR 6.6, 95% CI: 1.5-24.6, p < 0.05 when compared to central distribution]. CONCLUSIONS: The number of CT angiography studies and the number of pulmonary embolisms diagnosed during the pandemic increased due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The optimal d-dimer cutoffs and the distribution of the pulmonary embolisms differed between the groups of patients with and without COVID-19.

Angio-TC pulmonar durante la pandemia de COVID-19: comparación en pacientes con y sin la infección y con una serie prepandémica / Pulmonary CT angiography in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison between patients with and without infection and with a pre-pandemic series

Antecedentes y objetivo: Analizar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la angio-TC pulmonar y comparar distintos valores de corte del dímero-D para el diagnóstico de tromboembolia pulmonar (TEP) aguda en pacientes con y sin infección por SARS-CoV-2.Materiales y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de todas las angio-TC pulmonares realizadas consecutivamente por sospecha de TEP en un hospital de tercer nivel durante 2 periodos distintos. El primero de diciembre del 2020 a febrero del 2021 y el segundo de diciembre del 2017 a febrero del 2018. Se recogieron los resultados del dímero-D durante las 24h previas a la realización de las angio-TC pulmonares, así como el resultado de estas últimas para todos los pacientes incluidos. Se analizaron la sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivos, área bajo la curva (AUC) y patrón de tromboembolia para 6 valores distintos del dímero-D y la extensión del tromboembolia. Durante el periodo de la pandemia se registró si los pacientes tenían enfermedad por SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: Tras desestimar 29 estudios de baja calidad, se incluyeron 492 para el análisis. De ellos, 352 fueron realizados durante la pandemia; 180 en enfermos con COVID-19 y 172 sin la enfermedad. La frecuencia absoluta de TEP diagnosticados durante la pandemia fue mayor (34 durante el periodo previo a la pandemia y 85 durante la pandemia, correspondiendo 47 de este último grupo a pacientes con COVID-19). No se encontraron diferencias significativas al comparar el AUC para los valores del dímero-D. Los valores óptimos calculados a partir de las curvas ROC fueron distintos (2.200, 4.800 y 3.200μg/l en pacientes con COVID-19, sin COVID-19 y en diagnosticados durante el periodo prepandemia, respectivamente).(AU)

Background and aims: To analyze the diagnostic performance of pulmonary CT angiography and to compare different D-dimer cutoffs for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive pulmonary CT angiography studies done for suspected pulmonary embolism in a tertiary hospital during two time periods: the first December 2020 through February 2021 and the second December 2017 through February 2018. D-dimer levels were obtained less than 24hours before the pulmonary CT angiography studies. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), and pattern of pulmonary embolism for six different values of D-dimer and the extent of the embolism. During the pandemic period, we also analyzed whether the patients had COVID-19. Results: After excluding 29 poor-quality studies, 492 studies were analyzed; 352 of these were done during the pandemic, 180 in patients with COVID-19 and 172 in patients without COVID-19. The absolute frequency of pulmonary embolism diagnosed was higher during the pandemic period (34 cases during the prior period and 85 during the pandemic; 47 of these patients had COVID-19). No significant differences were found in comparing the AUCs for the D-dimer values. The optimum values calculated for the receiver operating characteristic curves differed between patients with COVID-19 (2200 mcg/L), without COVID-19 (4800 mcg/L), and diagnosed in the prepandemic period (3200 mcg/L). Peripheral distribution of the emboli was more common in patients with COVID-19 (72%) than in those without COVID-19 and than in those diagnosed before the pandemic [OR 6.6, 95% CI:1.5?24.6, p<0.05 when compared to central distribution].(AU)

[Pulmonary CT angiography in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison between patients with and without infection and with a pre-pandemic series]. / Angio-TC pulmonar durante la pandemia de COVID-19: comparación en pacientes con y sin la infección y con una serie prepandémica.

Background and aims: To analyze the diagnostic performance of pulmonary CT angiography and to compare different D-dimer cutoffs for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive pulmonary CT angiography studies done for suspected pulmonary embolism in a tertiary hospital during two time periods: the first December 2020 through February 2021 and the second December 2017 through February 2018. D-dimer levels were obtained less than 24 hours before the pulmonary CT angiography studies. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), and pattern of pulmonary embolism for six different values of D-dimer and the extent of the embolism. During the pandemic period, we also analyzed whether the patients had COVID-19. Results: After excluding 29 poor-quality studies, 492 studies were analyzed; 352 of these were done during the pandemic, 180 in patients with COVID-19 and 172 in patients without COVID-19. The absolute frequency of pulmonary embolism diagnosed was higher during the pandemic period (34 cases during the prior period and 85 during the pandemic; 47 of these patients had COVID-19). No significant differences were found in comparing the AUCs for the D-dimer values. The optimum values calculated for the receiver operating characteristic curves differed between patients with COVID-19 (2200 mcg/L), without COVID-19 (4800 mcg/L), and diagnosed in the prepandemic period (3200 mcg/L). Peripheral distribution of the emboli was more common in patients with COVID-19 (72%) than in those without COVID-19 and than in those diagnosed before the pandemic [OR 6.6, 95% CI:1.5?24.6, p< 0.05 when compared to central distribution]. Conclusions: The number of CT angiography studies and the number of pulmonary embolisms diagnosed during the pandemic increased due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The optimal D-dimer cutoffs and the distribution of the pulmonary embolisms differed between the groups of patients with and without COVID-19.

Protocolo quirúrgico en la reconstrucción de la parálisis facial: nuestra experiencia tras 140 casos tratados / Protocol in surgical treatment of facial paralysis after 140 treated cases

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar nuestro protocolo de actuación en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la parálisis facial tras 140 casos tratados entre los años 2000 y 2007. Este protocolo está basado en los resultado sobtenidos con un nuevo sistema de captura del movimiento facial en 3D denominado “Facial Clima”, que puede ser considerado como un método objetivo de medición de los resultados en la cirugía de reanimación facial. Así podría compararse en pacientes con parálisis facial, la efectividad de los tratamientos entre distintos centros. Exponemos los resultados obtenidos tanto a nivel de la reconstrucción de la sonrisa como a nivel palpebral (AU)

The aim of this study is to present our protocol in the surgical treatment of facial paralysis after 140treated cases since 2000 to 2007. The protocol is based on the results obtained with a new 3-D capture system of the facial movement called “Facial Clima”,that could be considered as the adequate tool to assess the outcome of the facial paralysis reanimation surgery. Thus, patients with facial paralysis could be compared among surgical centres such that effectiveness of facial reanimation operations could be evaluated. The results obtained are exposed for smile and lid reconstruction (AU)

Análisis de perforantes de la epigástrica inferior profunda con Angio TC 3D, Eco Doppler color y Doppler simple de ultrasonidos en colgajo DIEP: resultados preliminares / Analysis of deep inferior epigastric perforating vessels with 3D CT angiography, color Doppler ultrasonography and Doppler in diep flaps: preliminary results

Nuestro objetivo es la validación de la Angio TC tridimensional como herramienta de planificación de los colgajos DIEP, comparándolo con el Doppler de ultrasonidos (US) y eco Doppler color. Entre enero de 2006 y marzo de 2007 se realiza en 11 pacientes(13 DIEP) un estudio comparativo prospectivo entre el Doppler de US, eco Doppler color y Angio TC con reconstrucción tridimensional, utilizando como dato de referencia los hallazgos intraoperatorios. En dicho proceso se localiza la mejor perforante que pueda servir como pedículo al colgajo DIEP en función de su localización, calibre, trayecto y relaciones anatómicas con respecto al músculo. La Angio TC con reconstrucción tridimensional, demuestra una especificidad del 100% (IC 95% 75.3-100) lo que le convierte en una prueba con un alto valor predictivo positivo y una excelente herramienta en la planificación de los colgajos de perforantes. El eco Doppler color determinó, que tan sólo en un46,1% (IC 95% 19,2-74,9) de los pacientes, la perforante seleccionada por la prueba de forma preoperatoria, coincidía con la perforante elegida en quirófano. Con el Doppler de US, en un30,8 % (IC 95% 9,1-61,4) de los colgajos estudiados, coincidía la mejor perforante escogida de forma preoperatoria, con los hallazgos obtenidos tras la disección del colgajo. En el presente estudio, la Angio TC tridimensional se ha mostrado como una técnica con una gran especificidad que proporciona valiosa información, sólo comparable con la disección anatómica y por delante de pruebas como el Doppler de ultrasonidos y el eco Doppler color (AU)

The aim of this report, is to validate the Angio-CT technique with three-dimentional reconstruction as a preoperative planning tool, after comparison with Doppler ultrasound and color-Duplex. Between january 2006 and march 2007, we studied 11consecutive patients (13 DIEP) in whom a prospective comparative followed up was performed comparing, the findings observed using Doppler ultrasound, Colour-Duplex and Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction. Surgical procedure findings were considered as the reference value. The evaluation procedure included the election of the most suitable perforator vessels, taking account of the location, caliber and anatomical relationships with the muscle .The Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction showed100% specificity (CI 95% 75.3-100), and very high positive predictive value. In this way, this technique could be considered as an excellent tool for preoperative evaluation of perforators flaps. Color-Duplex showed that in 46,1% of the patients (CI 95%19,2-74%) the selected perforator matched with the intraoperatively selected. Using Doppler ultrasound only in 30,8% of the cases (IC 95% 9,1-61,4%) this result was observed. In this report, Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction has revealed as a very high specificity technique, that allows a great account of important information, only comparable with anatomical dissection and ahead from Doppler ultrasound and color-Dupplex (AU)

Tricobezoar. Una causa rara de dolor abdominal con apariencia radiológica típica / Trichobezoar. A rare cause of abdominal pain with typical X-ray appearance

Un bezoar es una masa compuesta por material extraño ingerido, normalmente fibras vegetales o pelos, en el interior del tubo digestivo. Los tricobezoares son raros y aparecen normalmente en individuos con trastornos mentales. Presentamos una paciente de 16 años, con trastornos emocionales, que consulta por dolor abdominal, vómitos de dos días de evolución y masa en cuadrantes abdominales superiores. Se realiza radiografía convencional, ecografía y tomografía computarizada de abdomen que ponen de manifiesto los signos radiológicos típicos de tricobezoar gástrico. Hacemos especial hincapié en la utilidad de la tomografía computarizada en el diagnóstico preoperatorio y en la detección de posibles complicaciones. La paciente fue tratada mediante laparotomía, gastrotomía y extracción del tricobezoar. El postoperatorio discurrió sin complicaciones y actualmente está en tratamiento por psiquiatría

A bezoar is a ball of swallowed foreign material that is usually vegetable fibers or hairs, in the digestive tract. Trichobezoars are rare and normally appear in individuals with mental disorders. We present the case of a 16 year old woman with emotional disorders who consulted due to abdominal pain, two-day long vomiting and mass in upper abdominal quadrant. A plain X-ray, ultrasonography and CT scan of the abdomen were performed. They showed typical X-ray signs of gastric trichobezoar. We emphasize the utility of the CT scan in the preoperative diagnosis and in the detection of possible complications. The patient was treated by laparatomy, gastrotomy and extraction of the trichobezoar. Post-operative period was without complications and she is currently receiving psychiatric treatment

[Surgical treatment of penile lymphedema associated with hidradenitis suppurativa]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de linfedema peneano secundario a hidrosadenitis supurativa.

Penoscrotal lymphedema is a rare disease in the developed countries, although it is relatively frequent in tropical countries. The most common cause is filariasis, although in our practice usually is associate to neoplasic and inflammatory processes, surgery, radiotherapy, hidroelectrolitic disbalances and idiopathic. We present a 22 years old patient with penoscrotal lymphedema due to hidradenitis suppurativa. After unsuccessful medical treatment, was performed a total excision of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissue to Buck's fascia. Split thickness skin grafts were used to cover the defect. Even medical management of penoscrotal lymphedema is not effective for most patients, surgery is a safe and effective procedure that gives excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de linfedema peneano secundario a hidrosadenitis supurativa / Surgical treatment of penile lynphedema associated with hidradenitis suppurativa

El linfedema de pene y escroto es una enfermedad rara en los países desarrollados, aunque es relativamente frecuente en países orientales. La causa más frecuente es la filariasis 1, si bien en nuestro medio suele encontrarse asociada a procesos neoplásicos, inflamatorios, postquirúrgicos, secuelas por radioterapia, disbalances hidroelectrolíticos y procesos idiopáticos. Presentamos un paciente de 22 años que presenta linfedema penoescrotal secundario a hidrosadenitisinguinal de larga evolución. Tras fracasar el tratamiento conservador se somete a tratamiento quirúrgico consistente en resección de piel y tejido celular subcutáneo del pene hasta fascia de Bucky cobertura con injerto de piel parcial de muslo. Dadas las características de la zona anatómica, el tratamiento conservador es difícil y poco satisfactorio, por lo que la exéresis completa de la piel y la cobertura posterior con injertos es una opción terapéutica segura y eficaz (AU)

Penoscrotal lymphedema is a rare disease in the developed countries, although it is relatively frequent in tropical countries. The most common cause is filariasis, although in our practice usually is associate to neoplasic and inflammatory processes, surgery, radiotherapy, hidroelectrolitic disbalances and idiopathic. We present a 22 years old patient with penoscrotal lymphedema due to hidradenitis suppurativa. After unsuccessful medical treatment, was performed a total excision of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissue to Buck’s fascia. Split thickness skin grafts were used to cover the defect. Even medical management of penoscrotal lymphedema is not effective for most patients, surgery is a safe and effective procedure that gives excellent functional and cosmetic results (AU)