Background: Popliteal fossa cysts (PFCs aka Baker's cysts) are synovial cysts of the knee joint that can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and incidentally identified on ultrasound. Whether PFCs are associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is unknown. Possible mechanisms for an association include direct compression of the popliteal vein, indirect compression on the popliteal vein with leg flexion, adjacent inflammation of the cyst, or relative immobility due to underlying joint disease itself. Methods: Lower extremity venous Duplex ultrasound radiology reports from the inception of electronic archiving through 11/14/2019 were evaluated across the Mayo Clinic Enterprise (Rochester MN, Jacksonville, FL, Scottsdale AZ, and Mayo Clinic Health System) in patients >18 years of age. Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms were created and validated to identify acute DVT (proximal or distal) and PFCs. A random sample of 1,752 ultrasound reports underwent manual review to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the NLP algorithm. Cases (ultrasounds with acute DVT) were compared to controls (ultrasound without acute DVT) to examine the frequency of PFCs. IRB approval was obtained and patients lacking Minnesota research authorization were excluded. Results: A total of 332,016 lower extremity venous ultrasounds were performed in 223,035 patients; 156,846 unilateral and 175,170 bilateral lower extremities exams. The mean age at ultrasound was 63.3 (SD 16.5) and 54.7% were female. Ultrasound reports were available for analysis starting in 1992 with a significant increase in the number of ultrasounds performed over the study period across the enterprise (Figure 1). Overall, acute DVT was identified in 24,179 (7.3%) of ultrasounds, and PFCs were identified in 32,427 (9.8%) of ultrasounds. The sensitivity and specificity of the NLP algorithm in the full dataset to identify acute DVT was 86.0% and 97.2%, respectfully. The sensitivity and specificity of the NLP algorithm to identify PFCs was 97.8% and 99.5%, respectively. PFCs were present in 9.3% of ultrasounds with acute DVT and 9.8% of ultrasounds without acute DVT (p=0.007), OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.98). In a multivariate logistic regression model, after adjusting for age and sex, results remained significant (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.995). Comparing ultrasounds before and after 2010, there was a higher percentage of PFCs and acute DVT reported after 2010 (p<0.001 for both). Sensitivity analyses comparing results before or after 2010, by sex, and only in the first ultrasound performed per person, demonstrated similar results. Conclusions: PFCs are negatively associated with the presence of acute DVT on lower extremity venous Duplex ultrasound. This data does not support PFCs as a contributing or causative factor in the development of lower extremity DVT. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Calf Vein Thrombosis Comparison of Outcomes for Axial and Muscular Venous Thrombosis
Abstract Background The objective of this study was to characterize clinical features and outcomes among patients with calf deep vein thrombosis (DVT) limited to the muscular veins compared with axial veins. Methods Consecutive patients with ultrasound confirmed acute DVT involving the calf veins (January 1, 2016–August 1, 2018) were identified from the Gonda Vascular Center ultrasound database. Patients were divided into axial or muscular groups based on thrombus location. Demographics, management, and outcomes were compared. Results Over the study period, there were 647 patients with calf DVT equally distributed between axial (n = 321) and muscular (n = 326) locations. Within these groups, peroneal and soleal veins were most commonly involved. Nearly all cases were provoked (97%). Synchronous pulmonary embolism (PE) were more common for axial (30.8%) compared to muscular groups (20.2%; p = 0.001); nearly one-third had no pulmonary symptoms. Anticoagulation for a median of 3 months was initiated for 85.5% of both groups. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence was more common in the axial group (15.9% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.0015) including more frequent DVT propagation (9.4% vs. 3.1%; p = 0.0017) and PE (3.4% vs. 0.6%; p = 0.0168). Major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and mortality rates did not differ between groups. Withholding anticoagulation led to more frequent thrombus propagation in the axial group (3.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.029). Conclusion Several important features distinguish muscular from axial DVT. Axial DVT are more likely to have an associated PE and are more likely to experience recurrent VTE, particularly if anticoagulation is withheld.
Two Non-gadolinium–based, Innovative Approaches to Preoperative Lymphangiography
Summary:Most magnetic resonance lymphangiography techniques employ intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents, which carry a US Food and Drug Administration warning about gadolinium retention in the body when used intravenously. Because of this, there may be reluctance to perform intradermal injections of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with obstructed lymphatic drainage due to concerns about gadolinium retention in the skin and soft tissues and potential-related toxicity. The aim of this study was to show proof of concept of 2 preoperative lymphangiographic techniques that do not use gadolinium-based contrast agents. One technique used contrast-enhanced ultrasound with intradermal injections of microbubbles (Lumason) in a patient with stage 3, nonpitting left upper extremity edema. Another technique used magnetic resonance imaging with intradermal injections of 0.03 mg/mL or 0.003% ferumoxytol (Feraheme) in a patient with stage 3, nonpitting right lower extremity edema. Both contrast-enhanced ultrasound with microbubbles and magnetic resonance lymphangiogram with ferumoxytol were able to identify candidates for lymphovenous bypass surgery. These candidates were not identified by conventional indocyanine green injections. The authors conclude that (1) low-dose ferumoxytol is a potentially effective non-gadolinium–based contrast alternative to gadolinium-based contrast agent in magnetic resonance lymphangiography and (2) contrast-enhanced ultrasound can identify candidate lymphatic vessels for anastomosis.
Diagnosis of Infectious Fluid Collections in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: The Role of Ultrasound
Abstract Objective Implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains the most common reconstructive modality worldwide. Infection is a frequent complication that negatively affects the reconstructive outcome and increases health-care costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in identifying fluid collections in patients with breast implant infection. Methods After receiving institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was performed on patients who presented with breast implant infection after breast reconstruction, during the period 2009–2017. To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (US) in detecting fluid collections, only patients with US evaluation and surgery during the same admission were included. Results In total, 64 patients with 64 infected implants met the inclusion criteria. Infected devices included 44 (69%) tissue expanders, and 20 (31%) implants, of which 40 (62%) were placed in the subpectoral and 24 (38%) prepectoral positions. Periprosthetic fluid was identified by US preoperatively in 45 (70%) of the patients, and a fluid collection was found in 61 (95%) of the patients during surgery. Sensitivity and specificity of US were 74% and 100%, respectively. Inaccurate US results were more likely in patients with silicone implants than patients with saline expander implants. Conclusion Caution should be exercised in interpreting negative US findings in patients with silicone implants in the setting of infection. Other imaging modalities should be explored if US results are negative in cases with high clinical suspicion.
Clinical limitations of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification of uterine fibroids
AbstractObjectiveTo determine the reproducibility of classifying uterine fibroids using the 2011 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system.MethodsThe present retrospective cohort study included patients presenting for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids at the Gynecology Fibroid Clinic at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA, between April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014. Magnetic resonance imaging of fibroid uteri was performed and the images were independently reviewed by two academic gynecologists and two radiologists specializing in fibroid care. Fibroid classifications assigned by each physician were compared and the significance of the variations was graded by whether they would affect surgical planning.ResultsThere were 42 fibroids from 23 patients; only 6 (14%) fibroids had unanimous classification agreement. The majority (36 [86%]) had at least two unique answers and 4 (10%) fibroids had four unique classifications. Variations in classification were not associated with physician specialty. More than one‐third of the classification discrepancies would have impacted surgical planning.ConclusionFIGO fibroid classification was not consistent among four fibroid specialists. The variation was clinically significant for 36% of the fibroids. Additional validation of the FIGO fibroid classification system is needed.
JOURNAL CLUB: Ultrasound-Guided Breast Interventions: Low Incidence of Infectious Complications With Use of an Uncovered Probe
Hypophosphatemia has been described in patients undergoing right hepatectomy for liver cancer and in living donors for liver transplantation who also received total parenteral nutrition. At the study centre, significant hypophosphatemia (0.36 mmol/L or less) requiring intravenous replacement was seen in two of the first nine living donors for adult-to-adult liver transplantation. To determine the frequency of hypophosphatemia in living donors, the authors obtained phosphate levels on stored serum samples from postoperative days 0, 1, 3 and 7 in all nine patients, none of whom were on total parenteral nutrition. Within the first week, hypophosphatemia developed in 55.6% of patients and phosphate levels returned to normal by day 7 in all nine patients. One patient had normal phosphate levels during the first week, but had profound hypophosphatemia (0.32 mmol/L) on day 14 when he presented with a Staphylococcus aureus infection of a bile collection and significant hypoxemia. The extent of hepatectomy and the rate of liver regeneration, estimated by baseline and postoperative day 7 volumetric computed tomography scans, did not correlate with the development of hypophosphatemia. In conclusion, hypophosphatemia is common in living donors undergoing right hepatectomy and may be associated with complications. All living donors should be monitored for the development of hypophosphatemia during the first two postoperative weeks.
The Timing and Presentation of Major Hemorrhage After 18,947 Image-Guided Percutaneous Biopsies