Pneumonia in Nervous System Injuries: An Analytic Review of Literature and Recommendations.

Pneumonia is one of the most common complications in intensive care units and is the most common nosocomial infection in this setting. Patients with neurocritical conditions who are admitted to ICUs are no exception, and in fact, are more prone to infections such as pneumonia because of factors such as swallow dysfunction, need for mechanical ventilation, longer length of stay in hospitals, etc. Common central nervous system pathologies such as ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, neuromuscular disorders, status epilepticus, and demyelinating diseases can cause long in-hospital admissions and increase the risk of pneumonia each with a mechanism of its own. Brain injury-induced immunosuppression syndrome is usually considered the common mechanism through which patients with critical central nervous system conditions become susceptible to different kinds of infection including pneumonia. Evaluating the patients and assessment of the risk factors can lead our attention toward better infection control in this population and therefore decrease the risk of infections in central nervous system injuries.

Evaluation of Crossover Sign in Pelvis Models Made with a Three-Dimensional Printer.

Introduction: Investigation of the crossover sign (COS) in different degrees of tilt in pelvises made by three-dimensional printing of CT scans among patients with normal hip versions was carried out. Methods: Radiology CT scans of 8 normal pelvises reconstructed in 3D and the effect of sequential tilting on the presence of the false-positive COS in 48 radiographs were investigated. Results: The COS was seen in 77% of the AP radiographs during tilt changes. The average distance between the tip of the coccyx and the symphysis pubis was 32.06 ± 10.99 mm. Also, COSs were present in all radiographs from 6 degrees tilt and above. Conclusion: Minor tilting of the pelvis can result in a false-positive crossover sign on AP plain radiographs.

Potential therapeutic approach of intravenous immunoglobulin against COVID-19.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the therapeutic and management options to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 disease are under investigation. IVIG therapy is used as an effective treatment for immunodeficient patients and patients with inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. The therapeutic effect of IVIG in COVID-19 patients has been investigated. But, the results are controversial and some studies reported no benefit of IVIG therapy. More clinical trials on the effect of IVIG therapy in COVID-19 patients should be performed to establish a certain conclusion about IVIG effectiveness.