Per Bagi

Laboratory aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: a blinded, prospective trial concerning diagnostic value of leukocyte count, neutrophil differential count, and C-reactive protein

The diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP), total white blood cell (WBC) count, total neutrophil count, and neutrophil differential count were evaluated in a prospective blinded study of 204 patients submitted with the tentative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The laboratory tests were performed on blood samples obtained at the time of admission, and the results were stored until the patients were discharged. One hundred patients were operated on: 59 had appendicitis, 3 had other surgically correctable diseases, and 38 had a superfluous exploration. All 104 nonoperated patients recovered spontaneously. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of single tests and test combinations were calculated at different cutoff levels. Using standard reference intervals, WBC count demonstrated the best sensitivity (83 percent) and predictive value of a negative result (88 percent). Combining the tests by an “or” rule enhanced the sensitivity to 100 percent, employing WBC count or CRP or neutrophil percentage above the reference range (triple test), but at the expense of the predictive value of a positive test (37 percent). It was concluded that both single tests and combined tests are of limited value in predicting acute appendicitis. However, the same triple test combination proved a predictive value of a negative result at 100 percent (95 percent confidence limits 92 to 100 percent), indicating that acute appendicitis is unlikely when these tests are simultaneously negative. The triple test combination was valid in 32 percent of the patients who were free from appendicitis. In the study group, 10 of the patients (25 percent) who had a superfluous exploration had a negative triple test, and they might have avoided surgery if it had been used. Therefore, the triple test is recommended as a help in reducing the significant rate of negative laparotomies in patients suspected of having acute appendicitis.

Botulinum toxin A for treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and incontinence in patients with spinal cord lesions.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravesical botulinum toxin A (BTA) in the treatment of severe neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) with incontinence in patients with spinal cord lesions (SCLs). Material and Methods: Fifteen SCL patients suffering from NDO and incontinence were included in the study. The volume of urine leakage during episodes of incontinence was quantified, and filling cystometry was performed before and after BTA treatment. During BTA treatment, a total of 300 IU of BTA was injected cystoscopically into the detrusor muscle, excluding the trigone region. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given. Results: Thirteen of 15 patients (87%) reported that they were fully continent after treatment and the volume of leakage in the two incontinent patients was significantly reduced. Anticholinergic medication was stopped in all patients after BTA treatment. Cystometry showed a marked reduction in pressures after treatment in all patients, with the maximum detrusor pressure during filling being significantly reduced (p < 0.0005) and the maximum volume at a detrusor pressure of <40 cmH 2 O being significantly increased (p < 0.0005) in all patients. The maximum bladder capacity was increased, although not significantly. The period during which the patients remained continent following treatment ranged from 4 to 12 months (median 7 months). With the exception of slight haematuria, which resolved spontaneously, no side‐effects were observed, and no cases of autonomic hyperreflexia were seen during treatment. Conclusion: BTA proved to be a highly effective treatment modality for NDO and incontinence in SCL patients. Treatment was easy to perform and the duration of effect was acceptable. Furthermore, BTA treatment was associated with virtually no side‐effects.

Expression of the vitamin D receptor, 25-hydroxylases, 1α-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase in the human kidney and renal clear cell cancer ☆

BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR), CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 are expressed in the human kidney, but the segmental expression of the 25-hydroxylases is unknown. A comprehensive analysis of CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1, VDR and CYP24A1 expression in normal kidney and renal clear cell cancer (CCc) would reveal the segmental location of expression, and clarify whether the reported loss of VDR in CCc is coincident with alterations of vitamin D metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tissue was obtained from nine patients (eight CCc and one atrophic kidney), mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR and in situ hybridisation (ISH), and expression of proteins determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS We detected expression of VDR and the vitamin D metabolising enzymes in normal kidney. VDR and CYP27B1 were strongly expressed in proximal tubules, while CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 had a marked expression in distal tubules. In CCc expression was lost for VDR and all the enzymes, except for very few cells expressing all the investigated proteins. CONCLUSION This study shows that VDR and all the vitamin D metabolising enzymes are expressed in the normal kidney. During the malignant transformation to CCc, expression of VDR and the metabolising enzymes is lost, however the implications of this loss are unknown.

Real Time B-mode Mapping of the Greater Saphenous Vein

Real time ultrasound mapping of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) was performed in 30 consecutive patients admitted for in situ femoro-crural revascularisation. The overall accuracy in predicting the adequacy of the GSV for in situ bypass was 90%. The predictive value of finding the vein usable was 96%, whereas the predictive value of judging the vein inadequate was 50%. The scanning procedure provided morphologic information about the GSVs, including size, tributaries, varicosities, and double segments, which may prevent unnecessary dissection and may further shorten the duration of surgery. In our opinion the technique is sufficiently accurate to replace phlebography for the routine preoperative assessment of GSV in patients considered for in situ bypass. Veins judged inadequate at scanning, however, should be further evaluated.

Is bladder outlet obstruction normal in elderly men without lower urinary tract symptoms

The aim of the present study was to correlate basic voiding parameters, including uroflowmetry, symptom score, and residual urine volume with the results of pressure‐flow studies applying the Abrams/Griffith nomogram, in a series of urologically asymptomatic elderly men. Twenty‐nine consecutive male volunteers (median age, 66 years) without past or present urological complaints participated. Fifteen (52%) of the 29 subjectively normal men proved to have bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Qmax <10 mL/s had a positive predictive value of 100% in diagnosing obstruction, whereas the predictive information of higher flow rates proved very modest. No significant difference existed between obstructed and unobstructed persons at any cutoff value concerning symptom score. The sensitivity as well as the positive predictive value of a residual urine volume >50 mL was zero. It is concluded that a surprisingly high prevalence of BOO in asymptomatic elderly men was demonstrated and that the correlation between pressure flow investigations and alternative diagnostic tests, i.e., flow rate, symptom score, and residual volume was weak in this group of men. It is suggested that a possible explanation for the high frequency of BOO observed in the evaluated asymptomatic men could be that the values defining obstruction have been set too low. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:545–552, 1999.

Percutaneous drainage of appendiceal abscess

Twenty-seven consecutive patients with ultrasonically verified appendiceal abscesses, measuring from 2 to 10 cm in diameter, were studied. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous drainage was performed in 19 by means of one to five punctures, and in eight with one or two catheters. In 16 and 7 patients, respectively, the abscesses resolved without further intervention. Four patients were operated on, two for suspected (but unverified) abscess perforation, one for bowel obstruction, and one because of failed drainage, resulting in a success rate of 85 percent. Hospitalization ranged from 3 to 23 days; however, normal sonograms were not obtained until after nine to 62 days. Follow-up revealed no diagnostic errors. Two patients (8 percent) had recurrent appendicitis, and late sequelae were observed in four patients, three of these after surgery. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous drainage of appendiceal abscesses with the technique described is indicated whenever feasible, as a safe, gentle, and relatively atraumatic procedure with few complications and late sequelae.

Venous Muscle Pump Function During Pregnancy: Assessment by Ambulatory Strain-gauge Plethysmography

The venous muscle pump function was quantitatively assessed through pregnancy weeks 16, 30, 38 and 3 months (week 53) following delivery, in 24 pregnant women who completed a normal pregnancy. A statistically significant increase was found in the mean venous reflux (P<0 01), which was restored to initial values postpartum. Expelled calf volume remained stable throughout pregnancy but increased following delivery. Venous outflow from the legs was significantly reduced in the third trimester. Subjective symptoms of venous insufficiency increased trough pregnancy, but, these symptoms had virtually disappeared post partum, corresponding to the muscle pump normalization. No statistical correlation was found between venous muscle pump values and changes in hormone concentrations of estradiol, estriol and progesterone. It is suggested that venous insufficiency development in pregnancy is caused primarily by mechanical obstruction, or hormonal influence other than that of etradiol, estriol or progesterone.

Doppler waveform analysis in evaluation of occlusive arterial disease in the lower limb: Comparison with distal blood pressure measurement and arteriography

Three Doppler waveform parameters were related to ankle/brachial systolic pressure (A/B) index and angiography in 75 patients with lower limb arterial occlusive disease (AOD). Doppler signals were obtained from ankle arteries, and following spectral analysis pulse rise time (PRT), systolic width (SW) and pulsatility index (PI) were calculated. All three waveform parameters were significantly correlated with A/B index, and a 20% reduction could be predicted with an accuracy of 93 to 80% (corrected for chance, kappa, 81 to 52%). A significant correlation was also found between the three Doppler parameters and the angiographic assessment, i.e. the non-diseased, single- and multisegmentally diseased limbs, however, the accuracy in diagnosing angiographic stenoses was not as good as when pressure measurement was used for reference. Thirteen of the patients had high ankle pressures despite significant angiographic stenoses, and generally the Doppler examination was normal in these cases. Considering the waveform parameters individually, PRT and SW demonstrated almost identical results when compared to pressure measurement as well as angiography, whereas PI seemed clearly inferior. It is concluded that simple Doppler waveform parameters may accurately predict the haemodynamic significance of proximal AOD.

Incidence of and risk factors for postoperative urinary retention in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background and purpose — Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a clinical challenge, but there is no scientific evidence for treatment principles. We describe the incidence of and predictive factors for POUR in fast-track total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients and methods — This was a prospective observational study involving 1,062 elective fast-track THAs or TKAs, which were performed in 4 orthopedics departments between April and November 2013. Primary outcome was the incidence of POUR, defined by postoperative catheterization. Age, sex, anesthetic technique, type of arthroplasty, and preoperative international prostate symptom score (IPSS) were compared between catheterized and non-catheterized patients. Results — The incidence of POUR was 40% (range between departments: 30–55%). Median bladder volume evacuated by catheterization was 0.6 (0.1–1.9) L. Spinal anesthesia increased the risk of POUR (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.02–2.3; p = 0.04) whereas age, sex, and type of arthroplasty did not. Median IPSS was 6 in non-catheterized males and 8 in catheterized males (p = 0.02), but it was 6 in the females in both groups (p = 0.4). Interpretation — The incidence of POUR in fast-track THA and TKA was 40%, with spinal anesthesia and increased IPSS in males as predictive factors. The large variation in perioperative bladder management and in bladder volumes evacuated by catheterization calls for randomized studies to define evidence-based principles for treatment of POUR in the future.

A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover, Multicenter Study Comparing Quality of Life Using Compact versus Standard Catheters for Intermittent Self-Catheterization

PURPOSE Intermittent catheterization is the recommended standard treatment for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. However, standard intermittent catheters can be unwieldy, difficult to use and carry discreetly. This can influence patient ability to perform catheterization efficiently, discreetly and privately, therefore, affecting patient quality of life. We evaluated whether the discreet design of the compact catheter would improve quality of life in intermittent catheterization users compared with standard catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a nonblinded, randomized, multicenter, 2-way crossover study with 2 treatment periods of 6 weeks ± 3 days. A total of 125 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction were included in the study from 17 study sites, including 7 in France, 3 each in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, and 1 in Norway. Quality of life was evaluated by the intermittent self-catheterization questionnaire. The difference in questionnaire scores between the compact catheter and standard hydrophilic coated catheters was analyzed using a mixed linear normal model. RESULTS The intermittent catheterization questionnaire score increased significantly due to compact catheter use. We noted an estimated mean difference of 17.0 between the compact and standard intermittent catheters (p <0.001), corresponding to a 28% increase. The primary study results were further supported by the positive results of the secondary objective of preference, that is 63% of patients preferred the compact catheter. CONCLUSIONS The discreet design of the compact catheter significantly improved patient quality of life related to intermittent self-catheterization.