Medicine
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Observational Study
Early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in breast cancer.
Early prediction of non-response is essential in order to avoid inefficient treatments. The objective of this study was to determine the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients. Between March 2018 and October 2019, 93 consecutive patients with histologically proven breast cancer scheduled for NAC were enrolled. ⋯ Multiple logistic regression demonstrated two independent predictors of pCR: internal homogeneity (odds ratio, 4.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.20-19.65; P = .027) and PI% (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.15; P = .007). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, internal homogeneity and PI%, with area under curve of 0.71 and 0.84, predicted pCR with sensitivity (56%, 95%) and specificity (85%, 70%), respectively. Internal homogeneity and PI% of CEUS may be useful in the noninvasive early prediction of pCR in patients with breast cancer.
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Observational Study
Comparison of liver biochemical abnormality between COVID-19 patients with liver cirrhosis versus COVID-19 alone and liver cirrhosis alone: A STROBE observational study.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients frequently develop liver biochemical abnormality. However, liver biochemical abnormality in COVID-19 patients with liver cirrhosis is under-recognized. Patients hospitalized during COVID-19 pandemic in China (ie, from February to April 2020) were screened. ⋯ None died during hospitalization among the three groups. Liver biochemical abnormality is common in COVID-19 patients with liver cirrhosis. Management of decompensated events in cirrhotic patients without COVID-19 should not be neglected during COVID-19 pandemic.
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Observational Study
Endoscopic coblation treatment for congenital pyriform sinus fistula in children.
Congenital pyriform sinus fistula (CPSF) is a very rare branchial apparatus malformation. Traditional open surgery for fistulectomy might fail to excise the lesion completely, leading to continual recurrence. Herein, we report our experience of endoscopic coblation technique for treatment of CPSF in children. ⋯ All cases experienced no recurrence, vocal cord paralysis, pharyngeal fistula and massive hemorrhage after their first endoscopic coblation of the sinus tract in the follow up of 3 to 28 months. Endoscopic coblation is an effective and safe approach for children with CPSF, neck abscess incision and drainage could be performed simultaneously in acute infection stage. We advocate using this minimally invasive technique as first line of treatment for CPSF.
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Observational Study
National early warning score on admission as risk factor for invasive mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients: A STROBE-compliant study.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Invasive mechanical ventilation is recommended for the management of patients with COVID-19 who have severe respiratory symptoms. However, various complications can develop after its use. ⋯ The optimal cut-off values were: fever duration ≥1 day (sensitivity 100.0%, specificity 54.95%), NEWS ≥7 (sensitivity 72.73%, specificity 92.52%), and LDH >810 mg/dL (sensitivity 56.0%, specificity 90.29%). These findings can assist in the early identification of patients who will require invasive mechanical ventilation. Further studies in larger patient populations are recommended to validate our findings.