Medicine
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Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are posited to effect flow dynamics, causing turbulence, vascular remodeling and eventual thrombosis; however, minimal data exists evaluating hemodynamic effects of IVC filters in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in hemodynamic flow parameters acquired with two-dimension (2D)-perfusion angiography before and after IVC filter placement or retrieval. 2D-perfusion images were reconstructed retrospectively from digital subtraction angiography from a cohort of 37 patients (13F/24M) before and after filter placement (n = 18) or retrieval (n = 23). Average dwell time was 239.5 ± 132.1 days. ⋯ After retrieval, ROIs within and inferior to the filter showed a significantly shorter TTP (1.7 vs 1.4 s, P = .004; 1.5 vs 1.3 s, P = .001, respectively) and MTT (1.7 vs 1.4 s, P = .003; 1.5 vs 1.2 s, P = .002, respectively). Difference in variables showed no significant correlation when compared to dwell time. 2D-perfusion angiography is feasible to evaluate hemodynamic effects of IVC filters in vivo. TTP and MTT within and below the filter after retrieval were significantly changed, without apparent correlation to dwell time, suggesting a functional hemodynamic delay secondary to filter presence.
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To evaluate the frequency and location of abnormal lymph nodes (LNs) in breast cancer patients with a single axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings of 219 consecutive patients with breast cancer with single ALN metastasis who were surgically confirmed at our institution between January 2018 and December 2018. The morphological features and locations of the abnormal LN on MRI were analyzed. ⋯ Macrometastases were found more frequently in cases with abnormal LNs than in those with normal-looking LNs (P = .004). The most frequent morphological feature of metastatic ALNs was a diffuse cortical thickening of 3 to 5 mm (37.5%). Although MRI findings of single ALN metastasis in breast cancer patients are none or minimal, abnormalities are observed in the lowest or second-lowest LN in the lower axilla when present, suggesting the location of the SLNs.
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To investigate the formation and composition of crust in the nephrostomy tube (NT) of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). Consecutive patients undergoing PCN for the treatment of obstructive nephropathy who then underwent NT exchange between January 2020 and May 2022 were included in the study. The composition of crust in NTs was analyzed using infrared spectrum automatic analysis system. ⋯ When the NT indwelling time was longer than 3 months, the incidence of crust formation in the NT was significantly increased. Crust was most commonly composed of mixed components. In light of these findings, we suggest that NTs should be exchanged every 3 to 4 months to prevent the formation of crust and thus prevent obstruction of the NT.
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Postcraniotomy fever is a common complication in patients undergoing infratentorial surgeries. There are few studies about it and the efficacy of intensive antibiotic regimens, which remain to be studied. We carried out a retrospective study in patients undergoing infratentorial surgeries to analyze the factors associated with postcraniotomy fever and further investigated the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens on fever and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results. ⋯ Most cases of fever at the early stage after craniotomy in patients with infratentorial surgeries were nonintracranial infectious. Intensive antibiotic regimens did not show obvious advantages in improving the body temperature and CSF examination results. It is not necessary to use intensive antibiotic regimens too early, such as carbapenems or linezolids.
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Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive systemic disorder characterized by retinitis pigmentosa, polydactyly, obesity, intellectual disability, renal impairments, and hypogonadism. The purpose of this study was to determine the ocular characteristics of a boy with BBS caused by a novel homozygous variant in the ARL6 (alternative named BBS3) gene who had been originally diagnosed with retinitis punctata albescens. ⋯ In children with night blindness and progressive visual dysfunction, it is important for ophthalmologists to consult clinical geneticists and pediatricians to rule out the possibility of systemic diseases such as BBS.