Should CT angiography of the supra-aortic arteries be performed systematically following attempted suicide by hanging?

International audiencePurpose: Characterize and determine the frequency of dissections of the supra-aortic arteries (SAA) and injuries to the cervical spine and pharyngolaryngeal cartilages viewed on CT scans after an attempted suicide by hanging.Materials and methods: A retrospective, single-centre study of all patients admitted for attempted suicide by hanging between January 2010 and June 2017 who received CT angiography of the SAA. Search for signs of dissection of the cervical arteries and injuries to the brain, spinal column and pharyngeal and laryngeal cartilages. The results were compared with the initial clinical severity, which was assessed indirectly by whether patients were initially admitted in an intensive care unit (ICU) or in an emergency department (ED).Results: Out of 162 patients included, 4 presented with SAA dissection (2.5%), comprising 3 vertebral arteries and 1 external carotid artery. The cases in question were of 4 men, all in cardiac arrest on arrival and all were treated in ICU. Of the most serious cases, 18/72 (25%) had anoxia-related injuries and one also presented with a C2 fracture. No vascular lesions or signs of cerebral anoxia were observed in the 90 ED patients. Nevertheless, pharyngeal and laryngeal fractures were observed in both groups, with no significant difference.Conclusion: In our study, 2.5% of CT angiograms performed after an attempted hanging revealed SAA dissection. Crucially, only most severe patients, who have been immediately admitted to ICU suffered SAA. These results call into question the systematic indication of this exam in cases of hanging attempts

Identification of a candidate biomarker from perfusion MRI to anticipate glioblastoma progression after chemoradiation

International audienceTo identify relevant relative cerebral blood volume biomarkers from T2* dynamic-susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging to anticipate glioblastoma progression after chemoradiation. Twenty-five patients from a prospective study with glioblastoma, primarily treated by chemoradiation, were included. According to the last follow-up MRI confirmed status, patients were divided into: relapse group (n = 13) and control group (n = 12). The time of last MR acquisition was t(end); MR acquisitions performed at t(end-2M), t(end-4M) and t(end-6M) (respectively 2, 4 and 6 months before t(end)) were analyzed to extract relevant variations among eleven perfusion biomarkers (B). These variations were assessed through R(B), as the absolute value of the ratio between a dagger B from t(end-4M) to t(end-2M) and a dagger B from t(end-6M) to t(end-4M). The optimal cut-off for R(B) was determined using receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis. The fraction of hypoperfused tumor volume (F_hP(g)) was a relevant biomarker. A ratio R(F_hP(g)) aeyenaEuroe0.61 would have been able to anticipate relapse at the next follow-up with a sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of 92.3 %/63.6 %/79.2 %. High R(F_hPg) (aeyen0.61) was associated with more relapse at t(end) compared to low R(F_hPg) (75 % vs 12.5 %, p = 0.008). Iterative analysis of F_hP(g) from consecutive examinations could provide surrogate markers to predict progression at the next follow-up. aEuro cent Related rCBV biomarkers from DSC were assessed to anticipate GBM progression. aEuro cent Biomarkers were assessed through their patterns of variation during the follow-up. aEuro cent The fraction of hypoperfused tumour volume (F_hP (g) ) seemed to be a relevant biomarker. aEuro cent An innovative ratio R(F_hP (g) ) could be an early surrogate marker of relapse. aEuro cent A significant time gain could be achieved in the management of GBM patients

Voxel-based evidence of perfusion normalization in glioblastoma patients included in a phase I\textendashII trial of radiotherapy/tipifarnib combination

International audienc