Digital radiography of crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake

AIM:To investigate the features of crush thoracic trauma in Sichuan earthquake victims using chest digital radiography(CDR).METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 772 CDR of 417 females and 355 males who had suffered crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake.Patient age ranged from 0.5 to 103 years.CDR was performed between May 12,2008 and June 7,2008.We looked for injury to the thoracic cage,pulmonary parenchyma and the pleura.obtained in 349 patients,the remaining 423 patients underwent only AP CDR.Thoracic cage fractures,pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries were noted in 331(42.9%;95% CI:39.4%-46.4%),67 and 135 patients,respectively.Of the 256 patients with rib fractures,the mean number of fractured ribs per patient was 3.Rib fractures were mostly distributed from the 3rd through to the 8th ribs and the vast majority involved posterior and lateral locations along the rib.Rib fractures had a significant positive association with non-rib thoracic fractures,pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries(P < 0.001).The number of rib fractures and pulmonary contusions were significant factors associated with patient death.CONCLUSION:Earthquake-related crush thoracic trauma has the potential for multiple fractures.The high number of fractured ribs and pulmonary contusions were significant factors which needed appropriate medical treatment.

Effectiveness of chest radiography,lung ultrasound and thoracic computed tomography in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure

Hydrostatic pulmonary edema is as an abnormal in-crease in extravascular water secondary to elevatedpressure in the pulmonary circulation, due to conges-tive heart failure or intravascular volume overload.Diagnosis of hydrostatic pulmonary edema is usuallybased on clinical signs associated to conventional ra-diography findings. Interpretation of radiologic signsof cardiogenic pulmonary edema are often question-able and subject. For a bedside prompt evaluation,lung ultrasound(LUS) may assess pulmonary conges-tion through the evaluation of vertical reverberationartifacts, known as B-lines. These artifacts are relatedto multiple minimal acoustic interfaces between smallwater-rich structures and alveolar air, as it happens incase of thickened interlobular septa due to increase of extravascular lung water. The number, diffusion and in-tensity of B lines correlates with both the radiologic andinvasive estimate of extravascular lung water. The inte-gration of conventional chest radiograph with LUS canbe very helpful to obtain the correct diagnosis. Com-puted tomography(CT) is of limited use in the work upof cardiogenic pulmonary edema, due to its high cost,little use in the emergencies and radiation exposure.However, a deep knowledge of CT signs of pulmonaryedema is crucial when other similar pulmonary condi-tions may occasionally be in the differential diagnosis.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)in the perioperative period in elderly patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC).AIM To investigate the potential enhancement of video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS)in postoperative recovery in elderly patients with NSCLC.METHODS We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 85 elderly NSCLC patients who underwent ERAS(the ERAS group)and 327 elderly NSCLC patients who received routine care(the control group)after VATS at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital between May 2015 and April 2017.After propensity score matching of baseline data,we analysed the postoperative stay,total hospital expenses,postoperative 48-h pain score,and postoperative complication rate for the 2 groups of patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection.RESULTS After propensity score matching,ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay(6.96±4.16 vs 8.48±4.18 d,P=0.001)and total hospital expenses(48875.27±18437.5 vs 55497.64±21168.63 CNY,P=0.014)and improved the satisfaction score(79.8±7.55 vs 77.35±7.72,P=0.029)relative to those for routine care.No significant between-group difference was observed in postoperative 48-h pain score(4.68±1.69 vs 5.28±2.1,P=0.090)or postoperative complication rate(21.2%vs 27.1%,P=0.371).Subgroup analysis showed that ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and increased the satisfaction score of patients who underwent lobectomy but not of patients who underwent sublobar resection.CONCLUSION ERAS effectively reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and improved the satisfaction score in the perioperative period for elderly NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy but not for patients who underwent sublobar resection.

Radiography Image Classification Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

Research has shown that chest radiography images of patients with different diseases, such as pneumonia, COVID-19, SARS, pneumothorax, etc., all exhibit some form of abnormality. Several deep learning techniques can be used to identify each of these anomalies in the chest x-ray images. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown great success in the fields of image recognition and image classification since there are numerous large-scale annotated image datasets available. The classification of medical images, particularly radiographic images, remains one of the biggest hurdles in medical diagnosis because of the restricted availability of annotated medical images. However, such difficulty can be solved by utilizing several deep learning strategies, including data augmentation and transfer learning. The aim was to build a model that would detect abnormalities in chest x-ray images with the highest probability. To do that, different models were built with different features. While making a CNN model, one of the main tasks is to tune the model by changing the hyperparameters and layers so that the model gives out good training and testing results. In our case, three different models were built, and finally, the last one gave out the best-predicted results. From that last model, we got 98% training accuracy, 84% validation, and 81% testing accuracy. The reason behind the final model giving out the best evaluation scores is that it was a well-fitted model. There was no overfitting or underfitting issues. Our aim with this project was to make a tool using the CNN model in R language, which will help detect abnormalities in radiography images. The tool will be able to detect diseases such as Pneumonia, Covid-19, Effusions, Infiltration, Pneumothorax, and others. Because of its high accuracy, this research chose to use supervised multi-class classification techniques as well as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify different chest x-ray images. CNNs are extremely efficient and successful at reducing the number of parameters while maintaining the quality of the primary model. CNNs are also trained to recognize the edges of various objects in any batch of images. CNNs automatically discover the relevant aspects in labeled data and learn the distinguishing features for each class by themselves.

Impact of thoracic paravertebral block and sufentanil on outcomes and postoperative cognitive dysfunction in thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Postoperative pain management and cognitive function preservation are crucial for patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer(LC).This is achieved using either a thoracic paravertebral block(TPVB)or sufentanil(SUF)-based multimodal analgesia.However,the efficacy and impact of their combined use on postoperative pain and postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)remain unclear.AIM To explore the analgesic effect and the influence on POCD of TPVB combined with SUF-based multimodal analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection for LC to help optimize postoperative pain management and improve patient outcomes.METHODS This retrospective analysis included 107 patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection for LC at The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital between May 2021 and January 2023.Patients receiving SUF-based multimodal analgesia(n=50)and patients receiving TPVB+SUF-based multimodal analgesia(n=57)were assigned to the control group and TPVB group,respectively.We compared the Ramsay Sedation Scale and visual analog scale(VAS)scores at rest and with cough between the two groups at 2,12,and 24 h after surgery.Serum levels of epinephrine(E),angio-tensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),norepinephrine(NE),superoxide dismutase(SOD),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and S-100 calcium-binding proteinβ(S-100β)were measured before and 24 h after surgery.The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was administered 1 day before surgery and at 3 and 5 days after surgery,and the occurrence of POCD was monitored for 5 days after surgery.Adverse reactions were also recorded.RESULTS There were no significant time point,between-group,and interaction effects in Ramsay sedation scores between the two groups(P>0.05).Significantly,there were notable time point effects,between-group differences,and interaction effects observed in VAS scores both at rest and with cough(P<0.05).The VAS scores at rest and with cough at 12 and 24 h after surgery were lower than those at 2 h after surgery and gradually decreased as postoperative time increased(P<0.05).The TPVB group had lower VAS scores than the control group at 2,12,and 24 h after surgery(P<0.05).The MMSE scores at postoperative days 1 and 3 were markedly higher in the TPVB group than in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of POCD was significantly lower in the TPVB group than in the control group within 5 days after surgery(P<0.05).Both groups had elevated serum E,Ang Ⅱ,and NE and decreased serum SOD levels at 24 h after surgery compared with the preoperative levels,with better indices in the TPVB group(P<0.05).Marked elevations in serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,TNF-α,and S-100β were observed in both groups at 24 h after surgery,with lower levels in the TPVB group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION TPVB combined with SUF-based multimodal analgesia further relieves pain in patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery for LC,enhances analgesic effects,reduces postoperative stress response,and inhibits postoperative increases in serum VEGF,TGF-β1,TNF-α,and S-100β levels.This scheme also reduced POCD and had a high safety profile.

Central nervous injury risk factors after endovascular repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm with type B aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is the deadliest disease of the cardiovascular system.Type B aortic dissection accounts for 30%-60%of aortic dissections and is mainly treated by endovascular repair of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR).However,patients are prone to various complications after surgery,with central nervous system injury being the most common,which seriously affects their prognosis and increases the risk of disability and death.Therefore,exploring the risk factors of central nervous system injury after TEVAR can provide a basis for its prevention and control.AIM To investigate the risk factors for central nervous system injury after the repair of a thoracic endovascular aneurysm with type B aortic dissection.METHODS We enrolled 306 patients with type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR at our hospital between December 2019 and October 2022.The patients were categorized into injury(n=159)and non-injury(n=147)groups based on central nervous system injury following surgery.The risk factors for central nervous system injury after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection were screened by comparing the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.RESULTS The Association between age,history of hypertension,blood pH value,surgery,mechanical ventilation,intensive care unit stay,postoperative recovery times on the first day after surgery,and arterial partial pressure of oxygen on the first day after surgery differed substantially(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age,surgery time,history of hypertension,duration of mechanical ventilation,and intensive care unit stay were independent risk factors for central nervous system injury after TEVAR of type B aortic dissection(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For high-risk patients with central nervous system injury after TEVAR of type B aortic dissection,early intervention measures should be implemented to lower the risk of neurological discomfort following surgery in high-risk patients with central nervous system injury after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma with immune-related acute kidney injury and thoracic radiotherapy:A case report

BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are therapeutic agents for advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with high clinical antitumor efficacy.However,immune-related adverse events occur in 20%of these patients and often requiring treatment with immunosuppressive agents,such as corticosteroids.Consequently,this may increase the risk of patients to opportunistic infections.Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia(PJP),a rare but serious opportunistic infection typically observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus,can also occur in cancer patients undergoing long-term glucocorticoid treatment.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 56-year-old male with squamous NSCLC treated with triplimab combined with paclitaxel,carboplatin,and radical thoracic radiation therapy.Following this regimen,he developed acute kidney injury(AKI)with elevated creatinine levels.After concurrent radical chemoradiotherapy ended,he developed a grade 3 immune-related AKI.High-dose corticosteroids were administered to treat AKI,and renal function gradually recovered.Corticosteroids were reduced to a dose of 10 mg prednisone equivalent daily eight weeks later;however,he developed severe pneumonia with spontaneous pneumothorax.Next-generation sequencing of the bronchoscopic lavage revealed PJP co-infection with herpes simplex virus 1 and cytomegalovirus.The inflammation was more severe in areas exposed to radiation.Piperacillin-tazobactam,acyclovir,sulfamethoxazole,and trimethoprim were used to control the infection.The patient recovered,and immunotherapy was terminated.CONCLUSION PJP is rare but can occur in patients with ICI adverse events and should be differentiated from tumor progression or immune-related adverse events.Thoracic radiation may increase risk,necessitating careful monitoring and prevention.

A Multi-Task Deep Learning Framework for Simultaneous Detection of Thoracic Pathology through Image Classification

Thoracic diseases pose significant risks to an individual's chest health and are among the most perilous medical diseases. They can impact either one or both lungs, which leads to a severe impairment of a person’s ability to breathe normally. Some notable examples of such diseases encompass pneumonia, lung cancer, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Consequently, early and precise detection of these diseases is paramount during the diagnostic process. Traditionally, the primary methods employed for the detection involve the use of X-ray imaging or computed tomography (CT) scans. Nevertheless, due to the scarcity of proficient radiologists and the inherent similarities between these diseases, the accuracy of detection can be compromised, leading to imprecise or erroneous results. To address this challenge, scientists have turned to computer-based solutions, aiming for swift and accurate diagnoses. The primary objective of this study is to develop two machine learning models, utilizing single-task and multi-task learning frameworks, to enhance classification accuracy. Within the multi-task learning architecture, two principal approaches exist soft parameter sharing and hard parameter sharing. Consequently, this research adopts a multi-task deep learning approach that leverages CNNs to achieve improved classification performance for the specified tasks. These tasks, focusing on pneumonia and COVID-19, are processed and learned simultaneously within a multi-task model. To assess the effectiveness of the trained model, it is rigorously validated using three different real-world datasets for training and testing.

Why do thoracic epidurals fail?A literature review on thoracic epidural failure and catheter confirmation

Thoracic epidural anesthesia(TEA)has been the gold standard of perioperative analgesia in various abdominal and thoracic surgeries.However,misplaced or displaced catheters,along with other factors such as technical challenges,equipment failure,and anatomic variation,lead to a high incidence of unsatisfactory analgesia.This article aims to assess the different sources of TEA failure and strategies to validate the location of thoracic epidural catheters.A literature search of PubMed,Medline,Science Direct,and Google Scholar was done.The search results were limited to randomized controlled trials.Literature suggests techniques such as electrophysiological stimulation,epidural waveform monitoring,and x-ray epidurography for identifying thoracic epidural placement,but there is no one particular superior confirmation method;clinicians are advised to select techniques that are practical and suitable for their patients and practice environment to maximize success.

Assessing the Impact of General Anesthesia and Bronchial Intubation in Conjunction with Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block on Cellular Immunity and Surgical Management in Tuberculous Pyothorax Patients

Objective:This study aims to investigate the impact of combining general anesthesia with bronchial intubation and thoracic paravertebral nerve block during surgery for patients with tuberculous pyothorax.Methods:Eighty patients diagnosed with tuberculous pyothorax,admitted to the hospital between January 2023 and September 2023,were randomly selected for this study.The patients were divided into control and study groups using a numerical table method.The control group underwent general anesthesia with bronchial intubation,while the study group received general anesthesia with bronchial intubation in conjunction with thoracic paravertebral nerve block.Subsequently,the patients were monitored to assess mean arterial pressure,heart rate variations,and adverse reactions to anesthesia.Results:The study group exhibited significantly lower mean arterial pressure and heart rate levels during the post-surgical incision,immediate end of surgery,and immediate extubation periods compared to the control group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the Ricker and Ramsay scores in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined use of general anesthesia via bronchial intubation and thoracic paravertebral nerve block has been found to stabilize mean arterial pressure and heart rate while providing effective sedation for surgical treatment in patients with tuberculous septic thorax.

Resolution analysis of thermal neutron radiography based on accelerator-driven compact neutron source

Owing to the immobility of traditional reactors and spallation neutron sources,the demand for compact thermal neutron radiography(CTNR)based on accelerator neutron sources has rapidly increased in industrial applications.Recently,thermal neutron radiography experiments based on a D-T neutron generator performed by Hefei Institutes of Physical Science indicated a significant resolution deviation between the experimental results and the values calculated using the traditional resolution model.The experimental result was up to 23%lower than the calculated result,which hinders the achievement of the design goal of a compact neutron radiography system.A GEANT4 Monte Carlo code was developed to simulate the CTNR process,aiming to identify the key factors leading to resolution deviation.The effects of a low collimation ratio and high-energy neutrons were analyzed based on the neutron beam environment of the CTNR system.The results showed that the deviation was primarily caused by geometric distortion at low collimation ratios and radiation noise induced by highenergy neutrons.Additionally,the theoretical model was modified by considering the imaging position and radiation noise factors.The modified theoretical model was in good agreement with the experimental results,and the maximum deviation was reduced to 4.22%.This can be useful for the high-precision design of CTNR systems.

Closed thoracic drainage in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with spontaneous pneumothorax:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with spontaneous pneumothorax,is characterized by significant decline in lung function,and even cause cardiopulmonary failure and hypoxia.AIM To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of central venous catheters and indwelling pleural catheters(IPC)in managing closed thoracic drainage in patients diagnosed with COPD with concomitant by spontaneous pneumothorax.METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical information of 60 elderly patients with COPD complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax admitted to the Shexian Branch of the second affiliated hospital of Zhejiang university school of medicine between March 2020 and March 2023.The clinical efficacy,complications,hospitalization duration,and costs were compared between patients with an indwelling thoracic catheter and those with a central venous catheter.Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the causes of catheter displacement.RESULTS According to our findings,there were significant differences in the IPC group’s clinical efficacy,catheter operation time,and lung recruitment time(P<0.05).Comparing the complications after catheter treatment between the two groups revealed statistically significant variations in the incidence of postoperative analgesics,catheter abscission,catheter blockage,and subcutaneous emphysema in the IPC group(P<0.05).Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences between patients with and without catheter dislodgement regarding duty nurse’s working years(less than three),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)scores(less than 15),lack of catheter suture fixation,and the proportion of catheters not fixed twice(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that when treating elderly COPD patients with spontaneous pneumothorax,indwelling thoracic catheters are more effective than the central venous catheter group.Patients’catheter shedding is influenced by the primary nurse’s working years,APACHE II scores,and catheter fixation technique.

Gastroparesis after video-assisted thoracic surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS)lobectomy is a common treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer.Some patients can experience slight gastrointestinal discomfort after lobectomy for a moment.Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal disorder that can be severe;it is associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia and impaired postoperative recovery.Here,we report a rare case of gastroparesis after VATS lobectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man underwent VATS right lower lobectomy uneventfully but had an obstruction of the upper digestive tract 2 d after surgery.Acute gastroparesis was diagnosed after emergency computed tomography and oral iohexol X-ray imaging.After gastrointestinal decompression and administration of prokinetic drugs,the patient’s gastrointestinal symptoms improved.Since perioperative medication was applied according to the recommended dose and there was no evidence of electrolyte imbalance,intraoperative periesophageal vagal nerve injury was the most likely underlying cause of gastroparesis.CONCLUSION Although gastroparesis is a rare perioperative complication following VATS,clinicians should be on the alert when patients complain about gastrointestinal discomfort.When surgeons resect paraesophageal lymph nodes with electrocautery,excessive ambient heat and compression of paraesophageal hematoma might induce vagal nerve dysfunction.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma mimics thoracic empyema: A case report

BACKGROUND Thoracic empyema and malignant pleural mesothelioma(MPM)are distinct medical conditions with similar symptoms,including cough,chest pain,and breathing difficulty.We present a rare MPM case mimicking thoracic empyema.Physicians must consider MPM risks for patients exposed to building material who exhibit lobulated pleural effusions,indicating thoracic empyema.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old retired male construction worker suffered from shortness of breath and chest tightness over 10 d,particularly during physical activity.A poor appetite and 4 kg weight loss over the past 3 wk were also reported.Chest images and laboratory data concluded a tentative impression of empyema thoracis(right).Video-assisted thoracic surgery with decortication and delobulation(right)was conducted.The pathological report yielded an MPM diagnosis.Refractory pleural bilateral effusions and respiratory failure developed postoperatively,and the patient died three weeks after the operation.CONCLUSION Thoracic empyema and MPM are distinct medical conditions that can present similar symptoms,and video-assisted thoracic surgery facilitates an accurate diagnosis.Empyema-mimicking presentations and postoperative refractory pleural effusion may indicate a poor MPM outcome.

SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated thoracic tumor:A case report

BACKGROUND SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors(SMARCA4-DUTs)present with diverse clinical manifestations and progress to metastasis and even cause death within a few months.This novel subset of undifferentiated tumors occurs in the middle-aged population and is strongly associated with a smoking history.Distin-guishing it from other malignancies is challenging.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old man presented with chest pain for 7 d.The patient had no respiratory symptoms and normal pulmonary function test results.The patient had been a smoker for 8 years and quit smoking 2 years ago.Chest computed tomography revealed a huge mass involving the left upper and lower lung lobes with pericardial invasion and multiple metastases.Tumor samples were obtained using open frozen biopsy,after several unsuccessful attempts.The tumor was composed of sheets of undifferentiated disclosive cells with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli.The differential diagnosis included high-grade lymphoma,germ cell tumor,NUT carcinoma,undifferentiated carcinoma,and sarcoma.The tumor cells were large,arranged in sheets,and did not exhibit glandular or squamous differentiation.Frequent foci of necrosis were noted.There was no evidence of epithelial differentiation on immunohistochemical staining.The SMARCA4 stain showed complete loss of expression of SMARCA4,which is diagnostic.CONCLUSION In the present case,thoracic SMARCA4-DUT was diagnosed based on clinical features,absence of epithelial differentiation,and negative SMARCA4 expression.

Erector Spinae Plane Block Combined with Serratus Anterior Plane Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Recovery After Thoracoscopic Surgery:A Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Clinical Trial

Objective This study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesia and recovery of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block combined with serratus anterior plane block(ESPB combined with SAPB)versus thoracic paravertebral block(PVB)after thoracoscopic surgery.Methods Ninety-two patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS)were randomly divided into group S(n=46)and group P(n=46).After anesthesia induction,the same anesthesiologist performed ultrasound-guided ESPB at T5 and T7 levels combined with SAPB at the level of the fifth rib in the midaxillary line in group S and ultrasound-guided PVB at T5 and T7 levels in group P.Patients in both groups were given 40 mL of 0.4%ropivacaine.Eighty-six patients completed the study(group S,n=44;group P,n=42).The morphine consumption,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores at rest and coughing,and frequency of remedial analgesia were recorded at 1,2,4,8,and 24 h postoperatively.Pulmonary function parameters were recorded at 1,4,and 24 h postoperatively,and the quality of recovery(QoR)-15 score at 24 h postoperatively.The adverse effects,duration of chest tube drainage and length of stay were also recorded.Results The morphine consumption at postoperative 4 and 8 h and the incidence of ipsilateral shoulder pain(ISP)were significantly lower in group S than in group P.The QoR-15 questionnaire score at postoperative 24 h was significantly lower in group P than in group S(P<0.05).The morphine consumption was lower at 24 h postoperatively in group S than in group P,with no significant difference found yet.The morphine consumption at other observed times,VAS scores,pulmonary function parameters,frequency of remedial analgesia,duration of chest tube drainage,length of stay,and incidence of other adverse events were comparable between group S and group P.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided ESPB combined with SAPB is non-inferior to PVB in terms of morphine consumption at postoperative 24 h and postoperative recovery.But,this approach can significantly reduce morphine consumption in the early postoperative period(0–8 h)after thoracoscopy with lower incidence of ISP.It is a simpler and safer operation.

Assessment of hindlimb motor recovery affer severe thoracic spinal cord injury in rats: classification of CatWalk XT■ gait analysis parameters

Assessment of locomotion recovery in preclinical studies of experimental spinal cord injury remains challenging. We studied the CatWalk XT■gait analysis for evaluating hindlimb functional recovery in a widely used and clinically relevant thoracic contusion/compression spinal cord injury model in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to either a T9 spinal cord injury or sham laminectomy. Locomotion recovery was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan open field rating scale and the CatWalk XT■gait analysis. To determine the potential bias from weight changes, corrected hindlimb(H) values(divided by the unaffected forelimb(F) values) were calculated. Six weeks after injury, cyst formation, astrogliosis, and the deposition of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining. Compared with the baseline, a significant spontaneous recovery could be observed in the CatWalk XT■parameters max intensity, mean intensity, max intensity at%, and max contact mean intensity from 4 weeks after injury onwards. Of note, corrected values(H/F) of CatWalk XT■parameters showed a significantly less vulnerability to the weight changes than absolute values, specifically in static parameters. The corrected CatWalk XT■parameters were positively correlated with the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan rating scale scores, cyst formation, the immunointensity of astrogliosis and chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan deposition. The CatWalk XT■gait analysis and especially its static parameters, therefore, seem to be highly useful in assessing spontaneous recovery of hindlimb function after severe thoracic spinal cord injury. Because many CatWalk XT■parameters of the hindlimbs seem to be affected by body weight changes, using their corrected values might be a valuable option to improve this dependency.

Crossed Intralaminar Screws for Fusion of the Cervicothoracic Junction and the Thoracic Spine: The Experience in an Iberic Service with Case Series and Review of the Current Literature with Technique Description

The treatment of pathologies in the thoracic spine is a challenge. The periodic failure of pedicle screw insertion and anatomical variations make the search for an alternative to pedicle screws in thoracic spine surgery necessary. The interlaminar crossed screws is a well-known and secure method for fusion in cervical spine, and in thoracic spine there used to be insufficient clinical data to support this technique, until now. We demonstrate in an initial series of 10 cases treated with interlaminar fusion in association of other fusion techniques in the thoracic spine with good results. Objective: Intralaminar screws have been shown to be a biomechanical salvage technique in the thoracic spine, especially in long cervicothoracic, thoracic and thoracolumbar fixation. The goals of this article are to demonstrate our initial experience and the range of indications for thoracic crossed intralaminar screws. Methods: In this article we describe our initial series performed at S&#227o Teot&#243nio Hospital in Viseu, Portugal, and our results, and also provide a comprehensive review of the recent literature in the use of intralaminar crossed fixation.

Association Between Constipation and a Reduction in Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Preoperative Patients with Thoracic Spinal Tumors

Objective To investigate the clinical symptoms experienced by patients with thoracic spinal tumors and verify the associated symptoms that are predictive of a decline in muscle strength in the lower limbs.Methods A single-center,retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on in-patients diagnosed with epidural thoracic spinal tumors between January 2011 and May 2021.The study involved a review of electronic medical records and radiographs and the collection of clinical data.The differences in clinical manifestations between patients with constipation and those without constipation were analyzed.Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with a decline in muscle strength in the lower limbs.Results A total of 227 patients were enrolled,including 131 patients with constipation and 96 without constipation.The constipation group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who experienced difficulty walking or paralysis compared to those without constipation prior to surgery(83.2%vs.17.7%,χ~2=99.035,P 0.001).Constipation(OR=9.522,95%CI:4.150±21.849,P 0.001)and urinary retention(OR=14.490,95%CI:4.543±46.213,P 0.001)were independent risk factors for muscle strength decline in the lower limbs.Conclusions The study observed that patients with thoracic spinal tumors who experienced constipation symptoms had a higher incidence of lower limb weakness.Moreover,the analysis revealed that constipation and urinary retention were independent risk factors associated with a preoperative decline in muscle strength of lower limbs.

Young thoracic vertebra diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with Scheuermann disease:A case report

BACKGROUND Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis(DISH)is a disorder characterised by the calcification and ossification of ligaments and entheses.It is a frequent occurrence in elderly males,but rarely encountered in younger individuals.CASE SUMMARY A 24-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to low back pain accompanied with numbness in both lower limbs for 10 d.Upon clinical examination and imaging tests,the patient was diagnosed with DISH with Scheuermann disease and thoracic spinal stenosis.Before the operation and medical treatment,the patient had hypoesthesia of the skin below the xiphoid process.Afterward,a standard laminectomy was conducted using ultrasonic bone curette and internal fixation was applied.Subsequently,the patient was given corticosteroids,neurotrophic drugs,hyperbaric oxygen and electric stimulation.As a result of the treatment,the patient’s sensory level decreased to the navel level and there was no major change in the muscle strength of the lower limbs.During follow-up,the patient’s skin sensation has returned to normal.CONCLUSION This case is a rare instance of DISH co-existing with Scheuermann’s disease in a young adult.This provides a valuable reference point for spine surgeons,as DISH is more commonly observed in middle-aged and elder adults.