High-frequency oscillation combined with arteriovenous extracorporeal lung assist reduces lung injury

Die Hochfrequenzoszillation (HFOV; Frequenz 12-15 Hz) reduziert in Kombination mit einer ECLA die beatmungsinduzierte Lungenschädigung und das Lungenbiotrauma im Vergleich zur konventionellen lungenprotektiven Beatmung (PCV) mit niedrigen Tidalvolumina (6 ml/kg KG) Die HFOV hat in Kombination mit ECLA keine negativen Auswirkungen auf den Gasaustausch und die HämodynamikIn order to optimize the lung-protective potential of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), it is currently recommended to maximize oscillatory frequencies. However, very high frequencies may lead to insufficient CO(2) elimination with severe respiratory acidosis. Arteriovenous extracorporeal lung assist (av-ECLA) allows near total CO(2) removal, thereby allowing for maximization of the lung-protective potential of HFOV. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of HFOV and av-ECLA on lung inflammation and function compared to conventional lung-protective ventilation. In a porcine surfactant depletion model of lung injury, the authors randomly assigned 16 female pigs to conventional lung-protective ventilation and HFOV/ECLA. Both strategies were combined with an "open-lung" approach. Gas exchange and hemodynamic parameters were measured at intervals during the 24-hour study period. Postmortem, lung tissue was analyzed to determine histological damage and lung inflammation. The authors found that the combination of HFOV and av-ECLA (1) allows significant reductions in mean and peak airway pressures; and (2) reduces histological signs of lung inflammation in the basal regions of the lung. HFOV/av-ECLA reduces histological signs of lung inflammation compared to conventional lung-protective ventilation strategies. Thus, combination of HFOV and av-ECLA might be a further lung-protective tool if conventional ventilation strategies are failing

Ultrasound in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Review of the State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of relapsing, chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that, in addition to adults, can affect children and adolescents. To detect relapses of inflammation, these patients require close observation, frequent follow-up, and therapeutic adjustments. While reference standard diagnostics include anamnestic factors, laboratory and stool sample assessment, performing specific imaging in children and adolescents is much more challenging than in adults. Endoscopic and classic cross-sectional imaging modalities may be invasive and often require sedation for younger patients. For this reason, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is becoming increasingly important for the non-invasive assessment of the intestine and its inflammatory affection. In this review, we would like to shed light on the current state of the art and provide an outlook on developments in this field that could potentially spare these patients more invasive follow-up procedures

Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome With Associated Salicylate Intolerance

Idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome can be a rare cause for chronic abdominal pain in children. It remains a diagnosis by exclusion that can be particularly challenging due to the vast variety of possible clinical manifestations. We present a 13-year-old boy who suffered from a multitude of unspecific complaints over a long period of time. In this case, an assessment of mast cell-derived metabolites and immunohistochemical analysis of bioptic specimen was worthwhile. After ruling out, primary (oncologic) and secondary causes for mast cell activation, pharmacologic treatment adapted to the patient’s salicylate intolerance resulted in a major relief of symptoms

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<p>Idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome can be a rare cause for chronic abdominal pain in children. It remains a diagnosis by exclusion that can be particularly challenging due to the vast variety of possible clinical manifestations. We present a 13-year-old boy who suffered from a multitude of unspecific complaints over a long period of time. In this case, an assessment of mast cell-derived metabolites and immunohistochemical analysis of bioptic specimen was worthwhile. After ruling out, primary (oncologic) and secondary causes for mast cell activation, pharmacologic treatment adapted to the patient’s salicylate intolerance resulted in a major relief of symptoms.</p

Teachability of multispectral optoacoustic tomography.

Publication status: PublishedFunder: European Union (ERC Starting)To date, the appropriate training required for the reproducible operation of multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) is poorly discussed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the teachability of MSOT imaging. Five operators (two experienced and three inexperienced) performed repositioning imaging experiments. The inexperienced received the following introductions: personal supervision, video meeting, or printed introduction. The task was to image the exact same position on the calf muscle for seven times on five volunteers in two rounds of investigations. In the first session, operators used ultrasound guidance during measurements while using only photoacoustic data in the second session. The performance comparison was carried out with full-reference image quality measures to quantitatively assess the difference between repeated scans. The study demonstrates that given a personal supervision and hybrid ultrasound real-time imaging in MSOT measurements, inexperienced operators are able to achieve the same level as experienced operators in terms of repositioning accuracy