Estimated cumulative radiation exposure in patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: Adolescent idiopoathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive spinal deformity, most often observed in female patients of pubescent age. The deformity's severity, its progression through time, its treatment and subsequent follow-up are assessed with routine radiological evaluation of the patient's full spine. This study aimed to determine the cumulative radiation exposure in average patients with AIS treated by brace or surgery throughout their treatment. METHODS: The average number of imaging procedures and corresponding radiation doses were retrospectively obtained from the medical charts of AIS patients treated conservatively and/or surgically at our institution. The median radiation exposure of all imaging modalities was stated in effective dose (mSv). The estimated cumulative effective radiation dose of the each treatment group was determined by multiplication of the average number of imaging conducted, and the median effective radiation dose per imaging modality. RESULTS: In total, 73 AIS patients were included (28 brace, 45 surgically). Patients treated with a brace were subjected to an average of 9.03 full spine radiographs, resulting in an estimated effective cumulative dose of 0.505 mSv over a median treatment period of 3.23 years. Patients treated surgically received an average of 14.29 full spine radiographs over a median treatment period of 2.76 years. The estimated effective cumulative dose amounted from 0.951 to 1.841 mSv, depending on the surgical technique. CONCLUSION: The cumulative effective radiation doses rendered to AIS patients as part of their treatment and follow-up were relatively low. However, every exposure to ionising radiation for medical imaging purposes should be minimised.

Midline crossing pulmonary vein: right upper lobe dual venous drainage, with partial anomalous venous return of the right lung into a persistent left superior vena cava.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of dual drainage of the right upper lobe of the lung into the left atrium and via partial anomalous venous pulmonary return (PAPVR) into a persistent left superior vena cava (SVC). DISCUSSION: It is only in the minority of PAPVR cases where the anomalous pulmonary veins cross the midline. We provide a review of current literature on this topic and an explanatory embryological model. Knowledge of embryonic development and possible anatomic variations, including the concept of dual venous drainage of the lung, leads to better interpretation of imaging, with more accurate description of the morphology at hand. High-resolution multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) helps to delineate the exact vascular anatomy. This will enhance a better understanding of and anticipation on the patient's disease status, with more accurate planning of intervention, and possibly less complications.

Accuracy assessment of pedicle screw insertion with patient specific 3D­printed guides through superimpose CT-analysis in thoracolumbar spinal deformity surgery.

PURPOSE: In order to avoid pedicle screw misplacement in posterior spinal deformity surgery, patient specific 3D­printed guides can be used. An accuracy assessment of pedicle screw insertion can be obtained by superimposing CT-scan images from a preoperative plan over those of the postoperative result. The aim of this study is to report on the accuracy of drill guide assisted pedicle screw placement in thoracolumbar spinal deformity surgery by means of a superimpose CT-analysis. METHODS: Concomitant with the clinical introduction of a new technique for drill guide assisted pedicle screw placement, the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion was analyzed in the first patients treated with this technique by using superimpose CT-analysis. Deviation from the planned ideal intrapedicular screw trajectory was classified according to the Gertzbein scale. RESULTS: Superimpose CT-analysis of 99 pedicle screws in 5 patients was performed. The mean linear deviation was 0.92 mm, the mean angular deviation was 2.92° with respect to the preoperatively planned pedicle screw trajectories. According to the Gertzbein scale, 100% of screws were found to be positioned within the "safe zone". CONCLUSION: The evaluated patient specific 3D-printed guide technology was demonstrated to constitute a safe and accurate tool for precise pedicle screw insertion in spinal deformity surgeries. Superimpose CT-analysis showed a 100% accuracy of pedicle screw placement without any violation of the pedicle wall or other relevant structures. We recommend a superimpose CT-analysis for the first consecutive patients when introducing new technologies into daily clinical practice, such as intraoperative imaging, navigation or robotics.

[Resuscitation after trauma: better survival chances thanks to goal-oriented treatment]. / Reanimatie na trauma.

- Recent literature shows increased survival for patients with traumatic cardiac arrest.- An early and aggressive approach to underlying causes and good integrated trauma care are probably responsible for this.- The new resuscitation guideline of the European Resuscitation Council emphasises that treatment of the underlying cause deserves more priority than performing chest compressions.- In addition to a structured approach with interventions focused on the causes of the arrest, standard operating procedures and protocols, regular scenario training and clinical governance are vital to improve survival chances for these patients.

Role of focused assessment with sonography for trauma as a screening tool for blunt abdominal trauma in young children after high energy trauma.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to review the utility of focused assessement with sonography for trauma (FAST) as a screening tool for blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) in children involved in high energy trauma (HET), and to determine whether a FAST could replace computed tomography (CT) in clinical decision-making regarding paediatric BAT. METHOD: Children presented at the Trauma Unit of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, after HET, and underwent both a physical examination and a FAST. The presence of free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis was assessed using a FAST. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for identifying intraabdominal injury were calculated for the physical examination and the FAST, both individually and when combined. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included as per the criteria for HET as follows: pedestrian motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) (n = 46), assault (n = 14), fall from a height (n = 9), MVC passenger (n = 4) and other (n = 2). The ages of the patients ranged from 3 months to 13 years. The sensitivity of the physical examination was 0.80, specificity 0.83, PPV 0.42 and NPV 0.96. The sensitivity of the FAST was 0.50, specificity 1.00, PPV 1.00 and NPV 0.93. Sensitivity increased to 0.90 when the physical examination was combined with the FAST. Nonoperative management was used in 73 patients. Two underwent an operation. CONCLUSION: A FAST should be performed in combination with a physical examination on every paediatric patient involved in HET to detect BAT. When both are negative, nonoperative management can be implemented without fear of missing a clinically significant injury. FAST is a safe, effective and easily accessible alternative to CT, which avoids ionising radiation and aids in clinical decision-making.

Diagnostic accuracy of a step-up imaging strategy in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is an important but often unrecognized cause of death in children. Imaging plays a vital role in the early detection of abdominal trauma. The exact role of imaging in the management of BAT in children is still under research. The aim of this study was to assess diagnostic accuracy of a step-up imaging strategy, where the decision to observe or to perform an intervention depends on the vital parameters of the patient, in combination with the presence or absence of free fluid at Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) and the findings on CT (performed selectively), for pediatric patients presenting to the ED with a blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged ≤ 16 years admitted between January 2008 and December 2012 to a Dutch level 1 trauma centre were included in this retrospective study. Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and the negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of the imaging strategy were calculated. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 122 patients; 66 (54%) patients were discharged home after primary survey, 51 (41%) patients were admitted and observed, 3 (2%) patients underwent transarterial embolization and 2 (2%) patients underwent surgery. Treatment failed in 1 patient, initially selected for observation. The sensitivity of the imaging strategy was 0.833 (0.446-0.990). The NPV and LR- were 0.991 (0.963-1.000) and 0.167 (0.028-0.997), respectively. CONCLUSION: The step-up imaging strategy that is applied in our academic level 1 trauma centre has a high sensitivity and a high negative predictive value. No clinically relevant injuries were missed without doing unnecessary harm, e.g. radiation or an intervention.

Right-sided invasive metastatic thymoma of the heart.

Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum.