Supplementary Material for: Localization of the Patency Capsule by Abdominal Tomosynthesis

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> A patency capsule (PC) is used to assess intestinal patency in patients with known or suspected stricture, but PC localization by plain abdominal X-ray (AXR) is difficult in those patients in whom the PC is not detected in the feces. Tomosynthesis is a promising, cost-effective, and low-radiation digital tomographic technique. This prospective study evaluated its use for PC localization in the intestinal tract. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study subjects were 49 patients in whom the PC was not detected in the feces and was identified intra-abdominally on AXR films. PC localization in the small or large intestines by AXR alone or by tomosynthesis with AXR was compared with abdominal computed tomography (CT), which is the gold standard. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The PC was judged in the large and small intestines in 22 and 27 patients by AXR alone versus 34 and 15 patients, respectively, by tomosynthesis combined with AXR. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for PC detection by AXR alone were 52.9, 53.3, 56.2, 50.0, and 53.1%, respectively. The same parameters were 100, 100, 100, 100, and 100%, respectively, for tomosynthesis with AXR, which were identical to those of CT. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Tomosynthesis with AXR is superior to AXR alone, though similar to CT, with respect to localization of the PC

Supplementary Material for: Timing of initiation of acute stroke rehabilitation and management corresponding to complications at primary stroke centers in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey

Introduction: Many guidelines now recommend early rehabilitation for acute stroke patients. However, evidence remains lacking regarding the specific timings for initiation of various rehabilitation steps and management when complications are encountered in acute stroke rehabilitation. This survey aimed to investigate actual clinical situations in acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan, to improve the medical systems for rehabilitation and plan further studies. Methods: This nationwide, cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire survey was administered between February 7, 2022 and April 21, 2022, targeting all primary stroke centers (PSCs) in Japan. Among several components of the survey, this paper focused on the timing of the initiation of three rehabilitation steps (passive bed exercise; head elevation; and out-of-bed mobilization), along with the management of rehabilitation (continued or suspended) in the event of complications during acute stroke rehabilitation. We also investigated the influence of facility features on these contents. Results: Responses were obtained from 639 of the 959 PSCs surveyed (response rate: 66.6%). In cases of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, most PSCs initiated passive bed exercise on Day 1, head elevation on Day 1 and out-of-bed mobilization on Day 2 (with day of admission defined as Day 1). In cases with subarachnoid hemorrhage, rehabilitation steps were delayed compared to other stroke subtypes or showed wide variation depending on the facility. Passive bed exercise was accelerated by the presence of protocols for rehabilitation and weekend rehabilitation. Out-of-bed mobilization was accelerated by the presence of a stroke care unit. Facilities with board-certified rehabilitation doctors were cautious regarding the initiation of head elevation. Most PSCs suspended rehabilitation training in the event of symptomatic systemic/neurological complications. Conclusion: Our survey revealed the actual situation of acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan and indicated that some facility features appear to influence early increases in physical activity levels and early mobilization. Our survey provides fundamental data to improve the medical systems for acute stroke rehabilitation in the future