Human ; Male ; Child ; Abdominal Pain ; fever ; diagnosis ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how changes in lung volume affect volumetric measurements of lung nodules using a multi-detector row CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten subjects with asthma or chronic bronchitis who had one or more lung nodules were included. For each subject, two sets of CT images were obtained at inspiration and at expiration. A total of 33 nodules (23 nodules > or = 3 mm) were identified and their volume measured using a semiautomatic volume measurement program. Differences between nodule volume on inspiration and expiration were compared using the paired t-test. Percent differences, between on inspiration and expiration, in nodule attenuation, total lung volume, whole lung attenuation, and regional lung attenuation, were computed and compared with percent difference in nodule volume determined by linear correlation analysis. RESULTS: The difference in nodule volume observed between inspiration and expiration was significant (p < 0.01); the mean percent difference in lung nodule volume was 23.1% for all nodules and for nodules > or = 3 mm. The volume of nodules was measured to be larger on expiration CT than on inspiration CT (28 out of 33 nodules; 19 out of 23 nodules > or = 3 mm). A statistically significant correlation was found between the percent difference of lung nodule volume and lung volume or regional lung attenuation (p < 0.05) for nodules > or = 3 mm. CONCLUSION: Volumetric measurements of pulmonary nodules were significantly affected by changes in lung volume. The variability in this respiration-related measurement should be considered to determine whether growth has occurred in a lung nodule.
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Coin Lesion, Pulmonary/pathology/*radiography ; Bronchitis/radiography ; Asthma/radiography ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Severe aortic stenosis (AS), leads to pathological left ventricular remodeling that may worsen with concomitant overweight and obesity (OW/O). METHODS: We aimed to prospectively analyze the impact of OW/O on ventricular remodeling in severe AS, by evaluating the percentage of intraendomyocardial fibrosis (PIEF) and the percentage of infiltrating intraendocardial lipid vacuoles (PIELV) and its relationship to global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients with OW/O. RESULTS: 44 patients with severe AS were included, 13 non-obese (29%) and 31 OW/O (71%), all of them with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 55%. GLS was evaluated with 2D speckle tracking. During valve replacement, an endocardial biopsy was obtained, where PIEF and PIELV were analyzed. Patients with higher PIEF and PIELV had greater body mass index (p < 0.0001) and worse GLS (p < 0.0053). A GLS cut-off point < -14% had a sensitivity of 75%, and a specificity of 92.8% to detect important PIEF (AUC: 0.928, 95% confidence interval: 0.798–1.00). On multivariate analysis, OW/O and PIELV were independently associated to the PIEF, and OW/O and PIEF were independently associated to GLS. A high correlation between the amount of PIELV and PIEF were found. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe AS and OW/O have greater PIEF and PIELV, suggesting more pathological remodeling. GLS is useful to detect subclinical myocardial injury and is potentially useful for endomyocardial fibrosis detection. The presence of higher PIELF may be a trigger factor for the development of intraendomyocardial fibrosis.
Aortic Valve Stenosis* ; Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Echocardiography* ; Endomyocardial Fibrosis ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity* ; Overweight* ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke Volume ; Vacuoles ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVE: Considering the different prevalence rates of diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Asians relative to other races, Koreans may have unique airway structure and lung function. This study aimed to investigate unique features of airway structure and lung function based on quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-imaging metrics in the Korean Asian population (Koreans) as compared with the White American population (Whites). MATERIALS AND METHODS: QCT data of healthy non-smokers (223 Koreans vs. 70 Whites) were collected, including QCT structural variables of wall thickness (WT) and hydraulic diameter (Dh) and functional variables of air volume, total air volume change in the lung (ΔVair), percent emphysema-like lung (Emph%), and percent functional small airway disease-like lung (fSAD%). Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare the two groups. RESULTS: As compared with Whites, Koreans had smaller volume at inspiration, ΔVair between inspiration and expiration (p < 0.001), and Emph% at inspiration (p < 0.001). Especially, Korean females had a decrease of ΔVair in the lower lobes (p < 0.001), associated with fSAD% at the lower lobes (p < 0.05). In addition, Koreans had smaller Dh and WT of the trachea (both, p < 0.05), correlated with the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (R = 0.49, 0.39; all p < 0.001) and forced vital capacity (R = 0.55, 0.45; all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Koreans had unique features of airway structure and lung function as compared with Whites, and the difference was clearer in female individuals. Discriminating structural and functional features between Koreans and Whites enables exploration of inter-racial differences of pulmonary disease in terms of severity, distribution, and phenotype.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Continental Population Groups ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Thorax ; Trachea ; Vital Capacity

Objective: The mandible is the most common fractured craniofacial bone of all craniofacial fractures in the Philippines, with the mandibular body as the most involved segment of all mandibular fractures. To the best of our knowledge, there are no existing guidelines for the diagnosis and management of mandibular body fractures in particular. General guidelines include the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAOHNSF) Resident Manual of Trauma to the Face, Head, and Neck chapter on Mandibular Trauma, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery section on the Mandibular Angle, Body, and Ramus, and a 2013 Cochrane Systematic Review on interventions for the management of mandibular fractures. On the other hand, a very specific Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Unilateral Condylar Fracture of the Mandible was published by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2005. Addressing the prevalence of mandibular body fractures, and dearth of specific guidelines for its diagnosis and management, this clinical practice guideline focuses on the management of isolated mandibular body fractures in adults. Purpose: This guideline is meant for all clinicians (otolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons, as well as primary care and specialist physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, midwives and community health workers, dentists, and emergency first-responders) who may provide care to adults aged 18 years and above that may present with an acute history and physical and/or laboratory examination findings that may lead to a diagnosis of isolated mandibular body fracture and its subsequent medical and surgical management, including health promotion and disease prevention. It is applicable in any setting (including urban and rural primary-care, community centers, treatment units, hospital emergency rooms, operating rooms) in which adults with isolated mandibular body fractures would be identified, diagnosed, or managed. Outcomes are functional resolution of isolated mandibular body fractures; achieving premorbid form; avoiding use of context-inappropriate diagnostics and therapeutics; minimizing use of ineffective interventions; avoiding co-morbid infections, conditions, complications and adverse events; minimizing cost; maximizing health-related quality of life of individuals with isolated mandibular body fracture; increasing patient satisfaction; and preventing recurrence in patients and occurrence in others. Action Statements The guideline development group made strong recommendationsfor the following key action statements: (6) pain management- clinicians should routinely evaluate pain in patients with isolated mandibular body fractures using a numerical rating scale (NRS) or visual analog scale (VAS); analgesics should be routinely offered to patients with a numerical rating pain scale score or VAS of at least 4/10 (paracetamol and a mild opioid with or without an adjuvant analgesic) until the numerical rating pain scale score or VAS is 3/10 at most; (7) antibiotics- prophylactic antibiotics should be given to adult patients with isolated mandibular body fractures with concomitant mucosal or skin opening with or without direct visualization of bone fragments; penicillin is the drug of choice while clindamycin may be used as an alternative; and (14) prevention- clinicians should advocate for compliance with road traffic safety laws (speed limit, anti-drunk driving, seatbelt and helmet use) for the prevention of motor vehicle, cycling and pedestrian accidents and maxillofacial injuries.The guideline development group made recommendations for the following key action statements: (1) history, clinical presentation, and diagnosis - clinicians should consider a presumptive diagnosis of mandibular fracture in adults presenting with a history of traumatic injury to the jaw plus a positive tongue blade test, and any of the following: malocclusion, trismus, tenderness on jaw closure and broken tooth; (2) panoramic x-ray - clinicians may request for panoramic x-ray as the initial imaging tool in evaluating patients with a presumptive clinical diagnosis; (3) radiographs - where panoramic radiography is not available, clinicians may recommend plain mandibular radiography; (4) computed tomography - if available, non-contrast facial CT Scan may be obtained; (5) immobilization - fractures should be temporarily immobilized/splinted with a figure-of-eight bandage until definitive surgical management can be performed or while initiating transport during emergency situations; (8) anesthesia - nasotracheal intubation is the preferred route of anesthesia; in the presence of contraindications, submental intubation or tracheostomy may be performed; (9) observation - with a soft diet may serve as management for favorable isolated nondisplaced and nonmobile mandibular body fractures with unchanged pre - traumatic occlusion; (10) closed reduction - with immobilization by maxillomandibular fixation for 4-6 weeks may be considered for minimally displaced favorable isolated mandibular body fractures with stable dentition, good nutrition and willingness to comply with post-procedure care that may affect oral hygiene, diet modifications, appearance, oral health and functional concerns (eating, swallowing and speech); (11) open reduction with transosseous wiring - with MMF is an option for isolated displaced unfavorable and unstable mandibular body fracture patients who cannot afford or avail of titanium plates; (12) open reduction with titanium plates - ORIF using titanium plates and screws should be performed in isolated displaced unfavorable and unstable mandibular body fracture; (13) maxillomandibular fixation - intraoperative MMF may not be routinely needed prior to reduction and internal fixation; and (15) promotion - clinicians should play a positive role in the prevention of interpersonal and collective violence as well as the settings in which violence occurs in order to avoid injuries in general and mandibular fractures in particular.
Mandibular Fractures ; Jaw Fractures ; Classification ; History ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Therapeutics ; Diet Therapy ; Drug Therapy ; Rehabilitation ; General Surgery