Citations

Abstract Objectives To assess quantitative and qualitative image characteristics in phantoms and patients using a simultaneous ultra-high resolution (UHR) and multi-energy (ME) dual-source cardiac scan mode in a photon counting detector (PCD) CT scanner. Methods UHR-ME cardiac scans were performed to determine the spatial resolution and multi-energy performance. UHR reconstructions were completed to measure transverse and axial spatial resolution in terms of modulation transfer function (MTF) and slice sensitivity profile (SSP). Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs), virtual non-contrast (VNC) images, and iodine concentration images were created using moderately sharp reconstruction kernels to assess ME performance. With IRB approval, coronary CT angiograms were acquired in 19 patients using the UHR-ME mode, from which iodine contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured. Various ME post-processing tasks were performed to show the utility of the spectral capabilities. Results VMIs showed a mean CT number error of 6.0%, while iodine accuracy was 0.71 mg/cc (root-mean-square-error). Spatial resolution matched well with a standard UHR mode. Patient images showed a trend of higher CNR at lower keV, while higher keV images showed decreased calcium blooming. ME techniques to separate iodine and calcium were used successfully. Conclusions The combination of UHR-ME cardiac mode retains UHR image quality while providing flexibility for ME post-processing. Advances in knowledge Cardiac UHR-ME PCD-CT scanning offers simultaneous UHR and ME imaging without loss of spatial or temporal resolution or quantitative accuracy.

AbstractA deeper understanding of pathophysiology, from the initiation of tumors of epithelial cells to the outcomes associated with it, is imperative to test potential interventions for these diseases. However, few models can accomplish this because of the complexity of origin cells and their transformation. We established an epithelial cell original tumor mouse model by conditional KrasG12D activation and tumor suppressor gene p53 deletion specifically in epithelial cells of the whole body using Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) promoter via Cre‐ERT mediation. Multiple tumors derived from epithelial cells developed in this novel model. This model can recapitulate the progress of intestinal, pancreatic, liver, lung, and subcutaneous tumors which derive from epithelial cells. This model is suitable for studying the pathophysiology of tumors derived from epithelial cells and may have the potential to test interventions.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) is generally considered a safe procedure, but complications such as malpositioning, bleeding, and tracheal ring rupture remain concerns, particularly during initial needle insertion. This study investigates the feasibility, ease of use, and safety of a novel device and technique for bedside PT, named the Illuminated Tracheal Alignment Guide (iTAG). METHODS: An interventional pilot study evaluated the feasibility and safety of the iTAG device and method. The study was approved by our local institutional review board and a Food and Drug Administration waiver was granted for use of our device. Patients in a neurocritical care unit requiring tracheostomy were screened and consented for inclusion. Exclusion criteria included significant vascular overlap and specific ventilator settings. The iTAG method involves a laser light source and a needle guide with a hard stop, used in conjunction with standard PT equipment. Data on demographics, procedure details, and early complications were collected and compared with historical control data from patients who underwent standard tracheostomy (ST). RESULTS: From January 2023 to July 2024, 30 patients underwent PT using the iTAG device. The mean time from intubation to tracheostomy was 15.53 days, with a mean ICU length of stay of 31.14 days. The iTAG group experienced significantly fewer early complications compared with the historical ST control group, including reduced hemorrhage, and there were no instances of tracheal ring fracture, posterior wall injury, or pneumothorax. The iTAG method allowed for safe PT in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The iTAG device enhances the safety and efficacy of PT by providing precise visualization and limiting needle penetration, reducing early complications. Its use expands patient candidacy for PT and offers a valuable tool for training less-experienced practitioners. Further research with larger cohorts and randomized controlled trials is needed to confirm these findings and establish the iTAG method as a standard of care for PT.

INTRODUCTION: The recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of resmetirom for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in patients necessitates patient selection for significant fibrosis or higher (≥F2). No existing vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) algorithm targets ≥F2. METHODS: The mAchine Learning ADvanceD fibrosis and rIsk metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis Novel predictor (ALADDIN) study addressed this gap by introducing a machine-learning-based web calculator that estimates the likelihood of significant fibrosis using routine laboratory parameters with and without VCTE. Our study included a training set of 827 patients, a testing set of 504 patients with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease from 6 centers, and an external validation set of 1,299 patients from 9 centers. Five algorithms were compared using area under the curve (AUC) in the test set: ElasticNet, random forest, gradient boosting machines, XGBoost, and neural networks. The top 3 (random forest, gradient boosting machines, and XGBoost) formed an ensemble model. RESULTS: In the external validation set, the ALADDIN-F2-VCTE model, using routine laboratory parameters with VCTE (AUC 0.791, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.764–0.819), outperformed VCTE alone (0.745, 95% CI 0.717–0.772, P < 0.0001), FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase (0.710, 0.679–0.748, P < 0.0001), and Agile-3 model (0.740, 0.710–0.770, P < 0.0001) regarding the AUC, decision curve analysis, and calibration. The ALADDIN-F2-Lab model, using routine laboratory parameters without VCTE, achieved an AUC of 0.706 (95% CI: 0.668–0.749) and outperformed Fibrosis-4, steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator, and LiverRisk scores. DISCUSSION: Along with the steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator model developed to target significant fibrosis or higher, ALADDIN-F2-VCTE (https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN1) uniquely supports a refined noninvasive approach to patient selection for resmetirom without the need for liver biopsy. In addition, ALADDIN-F2-Lab (https://aihepatology.shinyapps.io/ALADDIN2) offers an effective alternative when VCTE is unavailable.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rising US healthcare costs and the COVID-19 pandemic put increased pressure on hospitals to reduce patient length of stay (LOS) while maintaining high-quality care. We aimed to determine if implementing a pathway for same-day discharge after elective neuroendovascular procedures to a monitored hotel setting is safe, feasible, and cost-effective. METHODS: We evaluated patient outcomes after elective neuroendovascular procedures and same-day discharge to an on-campus Care Hotel. The study enrolled patients aged ≥18 years from October 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023. Exclusion criteria comprised major comorbidities, additional care necessitating hospitalization, absence of a caregiver, insurer-mandated hospitalization, or patient refusal of the Care Hotel model. Primary outcomes were readmission rate or prolonged LOS, new ischemic or hemorrhagic complications rate, and death rate from vascular causes within 6 months. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and deaths related to causes other than vascular complications within 6 months and changes in modified Rankin Scale score by 1 or more points at last follow-up. Healthcare cost savings associated with same-day discharge were analyzed using a control group. RESULTS: The study included 42 patients discharged to the Care Hotel and 84 controls. The average age was 61 years in the Care Hotel group and 64 years in the control group, and aneurysm treatment was the most frequent neuroendovascular procedure (83.3% and 79.8%, respectively). The readmission and extended LOS rates were 4.8% for the Care Hotel group. The rate of new ischemic or hemorrhagic complications was 4.8%. Cost analysis estimated savings of $7730.12 per procedure. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the Care Hotel model is a safe, feasible, and cost-effective option for carefully selected patients undergoing elective neuroendovascular interventions. Adherence to discharge readiness criteria and meticulous patient selection are critical to minimizing complications and readmissions.

ABSTRACTImmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and microvascular occlusion secondary to acquired ADAMTS13 deficiency. Contemporary data regarding iTTP treatment practices in the US, including the use of caplacizumab, are lacking. We aimed to characterize the demographics and therapies, including medications and apheresis practices, in patients with iTTP in the US. We retrospectively analyzed iTTP cases at 15 sites in the US that provide comprehensive care for patients with iTTP. The time‐period assessed was from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. Our primary objective was to analyze data by iTTP episode, inclusive of initial episodes and relapses. A total of 390 iTTP episodes were reported for 280 unique individuals (187 females, 93 males). Thirty‐day mortality was 3.7% (14/374), and 6‐month mortality was 7.4% (27/367). TPE details were reported for 343 episodes, among which 261 underwent at least one procedure (median 6, IQR 3–11). Among the 261 episodes with at least one therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) performed, 82.0% (214/261) used only plasma. Caplacizumab was used either alone or in combination with other agents in 43 (11.0%) episodes. Management strategies for iTTP remain varied across centers in the US, with a variety of combinations for TPE replacement fluids and therapeutic agents, as well as limited use of caplacizumab. Further research and standardization of treatment regimens may further reduce mortality in this condition.

The approach to eosinophilia and mast cell disorders in the bone marrow is diverse and depends on multiple factors including access to ancillary testing, resources to support testing, type of practice setting (eg, community, remote, tertiary care center or specialized referral center for these disorders) and whether there are options for clinical trial enrollment. That said, while there are some basic principles to the workup that we can all likely agree upon, individual practice habits will need to be tailored to suit an individual setting. As such, the approach presented in this manuscript is meant to serve as a practical guide and not as dogma per se. Importantly, an in-depth discussion of individual diseases and International Consensus Classification diagnostic criteria will not be covered, as the main focus of this article is the approach to these disorders. The reader is referred to a comprehensive discussion of these diseases and diagnostic criteria in several excellent articles. While there are clear areas of overlap between eosinophilia and mast cell conditions (eg, systemic mastocytosis associated with eosinophilia, myeloid neoplasm with eosinophilia, and tyrosine kinase rearrangements), it is the authors’ opinion that it is perhaps easier to navigate these entities separately (eg, eosinophilia as one broad topic and mast cell conditions as another) and to recognize the settings in which overlap may exist and what testing might be considered. Eosinophilia and mast cell conditions will be discussed separately supplemented by generous use of figures and tables to highlight key points.

Abstract Introduction: Femoroacetabular impingement commonly causes labral and cartilage damage. Understanding what clinical and CT-morphological factors are associated with increased labral and acetabular cartilage damage may give insight into the FAI pathophysiology. The present study aims to identify factors associated with labral and cartilage damage. Method: This is a prospective, multicenter cohort of patients undergoing primary arthroscopy for treatment of symptomatic FAI. Enrollment was between 2020 and 2022. The current study investigated predictive factors of advanced labral damage (detachment or full-thickness tear length &gt;4cm) and advanced acetabular cartilage damage (delamination or full-thickness defect ≥200mm2). Finally, we performed external validation for the previously reported RAPID score that predicts high-grade cartilage injury. Results: There were 647 patients in the cohort. For labral injuries, there were 384/647 (59.4%) detachments and 154/647 (23.8%) full-thickness defects, with labral tears ≥4cm was present in 100/558 (17.9%) hips. Older age (OR:1.04, p=0.002), males (OR:1.83,p=0.005), and larger alpha angles at 2:00 (OR:1.02,p=0.04) were associated with full-thickness labral injuries. Older age (OR:1.06,p&lt;0.001) and larger alpha angles at 2:00 (OR:1.03,p=0.01) were associated with tears ≥4cm. 258/679 (38.0%) patients had delamination or full-thickness cartilage defects. Older age (OR:1.09,p&lt;0.001), males (OR:1.91 p=0.003), decreased IRF (OR:0.95,p&lt;0.001), higher femoral version (OR:1.02,p=0.04), and larger alpha angles at 1:30 (OR:1.06,p&lt;0.001) were associated with delamination or defect cartilage injuries. Advanced acetabular cartilage damage ≥200mm2 was present in 109/679 (16.8%) hips and was associated with larger alpha angles at 2:00 (OR:1.07,p&lt;0.001), decreased IRF (OR:0.95,p&lt;0.001), and males (OR:2.52,p=0.002), and age (OR:1.05,p=0.002). For RAPID score external validation, we used our data for their model (sex, Tonnis OA Grade, radiographic alpha angle) and found an AUC of 0.685. With an adjusted model using CT alpha angles, AUC improved to 0.703. Our final model improved the AUC to 0.809 and included age, sex, IRF, femoral version, and CT alpha angles. Conclusion: FAI commonly has associated labral and cartilage injuries. The current study found multiple predictive factors for advanced labral and cartilage injuries as well as for larger lesions. A model including age, sex, IRF, femoral version, and CT alpha angles appears to best predict acetabular cartilage damage. Further research should investigate how these affect outcomes.