The role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and diffusion-weighted imaging for the differential diagnosis of obstructive biliary disorders

Background: Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is accepted as the gold standard, there is a place for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of obstructive biliary disorders. Aim: To compare the findings of MRCP with ERCP in patients with obstructive biliary disorders and to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of MRCP combined with DWI. Study design: Retrospective, analytic, cross-sectional study. Methods: The MRCP images of 126 patients who underwent both MRCP and ERCP owing to biliary obstruction were reviewed. Nine patients were excluded because of incomplete diagnostic workup or a long period (>3 months) between MRCP and ERCP. Ninety-two patients underwent DWI, which was also evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRCP and DWI were analysed. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRCP according to ERCP results as the gold standard was 97%, 71% and 93% for assessment of biliary dilatation; 100%, 94.7% and 97.5% for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis; 93.7%, 100% and 99% for the identification of benign strictures; 100%, 100% and 100% for the diagnosis of malignant tumours; and 100%, 100% and 100% for the detection of complicated hydatid cysts; respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of DWI for the diagnosis of malignant tumour was 100%. In the detection of choledocholithiasis, the sensitivity and specificity of DWI was 70.8% and 100%. Conclusions: MRCP is an alternative, non-invasive, diagnostic modality, comparable with ERCP for the evaluation of pancreaticobiliary diseases. DWI can be helpful for diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and tumours

Investigation of computed tomography findings of portal hypertension at non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AbstractBackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is very common and serious disease. It begins as a simple hepatosteatosis but can progress to cirrhosis. The early detection of portal hypertension (HT) can be helpful in the management of these patients.AimsTo evaluate radiologic findings of portal hypertension at computed tomography (CT) of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease for early diagnosis.Methods and materialsImages of 225 cases who underwent non-enhanced abdominal CT were reviewed. The patients with the difference between hepatic and splenic attenuation (CT L-S)>10 were enrolled in hepatosteatosis group. The remainings formed control group. The relationship between two groups about diameters of portal and splenic veins, craniocaudal (CC) span of liver, splenic index, caudate lobe/right lobe (C/RL) ratio was analyzed statistically by Mann–Whitney U Test and Student’s t-test.ResultsTotal 213 cases, as hepatosteatosis (n=149) and control (n=64) groups, were involved in this study. Liver CC span, splenic index and C/RL ratio between two groups were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01).ConclusionsThe splenic index and C/RL ratio are important findings of portal HT and fibrosis. CT imaging can be beneficial for diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD patients

Subcapsular liver hematoma due to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: case report

Subcapsular hematoma due to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a rare complication. There are only a few case reports in this subject in literature. This reports aim is to present subcapsular hematoma due to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography case and compare it with the literature. A sixty-nine-year-old female patient was admitted to the clinic with abdominal pain and jaundice. In physical examination epigastric tenderness was present. Patient went under ERCP procedure due to choledocholithiasis. 1.5 cm of filling defect was seen in hilar region in ERCP. The gallstone was extracted with endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon and basket. 12 hours after being discharged, patient admitted to the emergency service presenting low blood pressure, fatigue and abdominal pain. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate was respectively 90/60 mmHg and 100 bpm. Abdominal examination presented tenderness, guarding and rebound in all quadrants. Ultrasonography and general abdominal computed tomography showed subcapsular liver hematoma and subdiaphragmatic free air. The patient was operated due to acute abdomen. During exploration, laceration and subcapsular hematoma was present on the anterior face of the right lobe. Lacerated area was sutured simply. Postoperative day 9 patient was discharged with no complications. Patient was admitted presenting fever and abdominal pain postoperative month 1. USG and CT revealed that an approximately 10x3 cm heterogenic collection adjacent to the left lobe of the liver was reaching out to epigastrium. Percutaneous drainage was performed. Drainage was continued for 1 week. Control USG revealed regression and drainage was terminated. No complications were observed in patients 1 year of follow-up. Subcapsular hematoma of the liver is a rare complication. It should be considered in case of sudden hypotension and abdominal pain after ERCP. Conservative treatment should be considered in the foreground, however, surgery should be scheduled in case of acute abdomen and/or hemodynamic instability. [Med-Science 2016; 5(4.000): 1046-8

The role of CO-RADS scoring system in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and its correlation with clinical signs

Background: Computed tomography (CT) evaluation systematics has become necessary to eliminate the difference of opinion among radiologists in evaluating COVID-19 CT findings. Introduction: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of CO-RADS scoring system in our patients with COVID-19 as well as to examine its correlation with clinical and laboratory findings. Methods: The CO-RADS category of all patients included in the study was determined by a radiologist who did not know the rtRT-PCR test result of the patients, according to the Covid-19 reporting and data system of Mathias Prokop et al. Results: A total of 1338 patients were included. CT findings were positive in 66.3%, with a mean CO-RADS score of 3,4 +/- 1,7. 444 (33.1%) of the patients were in the CO-RADS 1-2, 894 (66.9%) were in the CO-RADS 3-5 group. There were positive correlations between CO-RADS score and age, CMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary diseases presence of symptoms, symptom duration, presence of cough, shortness of breath, malaise, CRP, and LDH, while CO-RADS score was negatively correlated with lymphocyte count. The results of the ROC analysis suggested that those with age >= 40 years, symptom duration >2 days, CMI score >1 and/or comorbid conditions were more likely to have a CO-RADS score of 3-5. Conclusion: The CO-RADS classification system is a CT findings assessment system that can be used to diagnose COVID-19 in patients with symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, myalgia and fatigue for more than two days

Original Article The prevalence and diagnostic criteria of health-care associated infections in neonatal intensive care units in Turkey: A multicenter point- prevalence study

Background: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) in the neonatal period cause substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of HAIs, antimicrobial susceptibility of causative agents, and the adaptivity of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria in neonatal HAI diagnosis