2019

Evaluating the value of intrapartum fetal scalp blood sampling to predict adverse neonatal outcomes: A UK multicentre observational study (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Al Wattar, Bassel H; Lakhiani, Aarti; Sacco, Adalina; Siddharth, Aditi; Bain, Alexandra; Calvia, Alexandra; Kamran, Atiyah; Tiong, Bing; Warwick, Bethan; MacMahon, Caroline; Marcus, Diana; Long, Emma; Coyle, Gillian; Lever, Gillian Elizabeth; Michel, Gina; Gopal, Gomathy; Baig, Hana; Price, Hannah Louise; Badri, Hawra; Stevenson, Helen; Hoyte, Helene; Malik, Humaira; Edwards, Jade; Hartley, Jennifer; Hemers, Jennifer; Tamblyn, Jennifer; Dalton, John Alexander William; Frost, Jonathan; Subba, Kamana; Baxter, Kathryn; Sivakumar, Kavitha; Murphy, Kelly; Papadakis, Konstantinos; Bladon, Laura Rachel; Kasaven, Lorraine; Manning, Louisa; Prior, Mathew; Ghosh, Mausumi; Couch, Melanie; Altunel, Melis; Pearce, Melissa; Cocker, Michael; Stephanou, Michael; Jie, Michelle; Mistry, Minesh; Wahby, Mohammed Osama; Saidi, Nabila Shahid; Ramshaw, Nicola Louise; Tempest, Nicola; Parker, Nina; Tan, Phoebe L; Johnson, Racheal Louise; Harris, Rachel; Tildesley, Rachel; Ram, Ramya; Painuly, Ritu; Cuffolo, Romana; Bugeja, Roberta; Ngadze, Rose; Grainger, Rosie; Gurung, Sabitra; Mak, Sammy; Farrell, Sara; Cowey, Sarah; Neary, Sarah; Quinn, Sarah; Nijjar, Simrit Kaur; Kenyon, Sophie; Lamb, Stephanie; Tracey, Susan; Lee, Tara; Kinsella, Therese; Davidson, Trecia; Corr, Trent; Sampson, Uzo; McQueen, Victoria; *Parry-Smith, William; Castling, Zora; AB-FAB study group

Citation:
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology; Sep 2019; vol. 240 ; p. 62-67

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the value of fetal scalp blood sampling (FBS) as an adjunct test to cardiotocography, to predict adverse neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN A multicentre service evaluation observational study in forty-four maternity units in the UK. We collected data retrospectively on pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who received FBS in labour using a standardised data collection tool. The primary outcome was prediction of neonatal acidaemia diagnosed as umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.05, the secondary outcomes were the prediction of Apgar scores<7 at 1st and 5th minutes and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We evaluated the correlation between the last FBS blood gas before birth and the umbilical cord blood and adjusted for time intervals. We constructed 2 × 2 tables to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) and generated receiver operating curves to report on the Area Under the Curve (AUC). RESULTS In total, 1422 samples were included in the analysis; pH values showed no correlation (r = 0.001, p = 0.9) in samples obtained within an hour (n = 314), or within half an hour from birth (n = 115) (r=-0.003, p = 0.9). A suboptimal FBS pH value (<7.25) had a poor sensitivity (22%) and PPV (4.9%) to predict neonatal acidaemia with high specificity (87.3%) and NPV (97.4%). Similar performance was noted to predict Apgar scores <7 at 1st (sensitivity 14.5%, specificity 87.5%, PPV 23.4%, NPV 79.6%) and 5th minute (sensitivity 20.3%, specificity 87.4%, PPV 7.6%, NPV 95.6%), and admission to NICU (sensitivity 20.3%, specificity 87.5%, PPV 13.3%, NPV 92.1%). The AUC for FBS pH to predict neonatal acidaemia was 0.59 (95%CI 0.59-0.68, p = 0.3) with similar performance to predict Apgar scores<7 at 1st minute (AUC 0.55, 95%CI 0.51-0.59, p = 0.004), 5th minute (AUC 0.55, 95%CI 0.48-0.62, p = 0.13), and admission to NICU (AUC 0.58, 95%CI 0.52-0.64, p = 0.002). Forty-one neonates had acidaemia (2.8%, 41/1422) at birth. There was no significant correlation in pH values between the FBS and the umbilical cord blood in this subgroup adjusted for sampling time intervals (r = 0.03, p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS As an adjunct tool to cardiotocography, FBS offered limited value to predict neonatal acidaemia, low Apgar Scores and admission to NICU.

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Perivascular epitheloid cell tumor and mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: an unknown co-existence (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Dimitrios Papoutsis, *Banchhita Sahu, *Joanna Kelly, Angeliki Antonakou

Citation:
Oxford Medical Case Reports, Volume 2019, Issue 1, January 2019

Abstract:
A 67-year-old woman with post-menopausal bleeding and a suspicious endocervical mass was referred to gynaecology outpatients’ for diagnosis and management. Cervical punch biopsies taken showed a benign cervical perivascular epithelioid cell tumour (PEComa), with MRI imaging and PET-CT scan indicating a 3–4 cm endocervical tumour with malignant features. The patient underwent radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection and the surgical specimen histopathology demonstrated a residual benign PEComa and a stage IIB mesonephric adenocarcinoma (MNA) of the cervix. There is no disease recurrence 12 months after surgery. Cervical PEComas are extremely rare tumours of mesenchymal origin deriving from the perivascular epithelioid cells with only 14 cases described so far. Cervical MNAs are rare tumours originating from the remnants of the mesonephric duct of Wolff with only 40 cases reported. Our case adds to the existing literature and highlights the challenges with regard to preoperative diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

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Effectiveness of Intra-Gastric Balloon as a Bridge to Definitive Surgery in the Super Obese (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Ball, William; Raza, Syed Soulat; Loy, John; *Riera, Manel; *Pattar, Jayaprakash; *Adjepong, Samuel; *Rink, James

Citation:
Obesity surgery; Feb 2019

Abstract:
BACKGROUND British National guidelines (NICE) recommend bariatric surgery for patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2, or BMI > 35 kg/m2 with any comorbidities of the metabolic syndrome. Intra-gastric balloons (IGB) can be used in super obese patients as a first step, before definitive surgery. AIMS Quantify weight loss 6 months after IGB placement, measure progression to definitive surgery and identify complications.METHODSData collected retrospectively on 50 patients. Forty-six proposed for definitive bariatric surgery, four patients excluded. Analysis performed using SPSS v23.0. RESULTS Median weight decreased from 165.5 to 155 kg (range 78 to 212, p < 0.01), BMI from 57.4 to 52.15 (range 32.9 to 70.5, p < 0.01), percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) was 12.9% (range – 3.3 to 64.66%, p < 0.01) and BMI reduction was 4.25 kg/m2 (range – 1.3 to 13.9, p < 0.01). Twenty-nine out of 46 patients (63%) progressed to definitive bariatric surgery. Ten out of 46 patients (21.7%) had complications requiring readmission. Seven of these patients required early balloon removal and six failed to progress to definitive surgery. Six patients had a second balloon placement, their actual weight loss was less successful, with some regaining weight. DISCUSSION IGB is useful to aid weight loss prior to definitive bariatric surgery. Results from first balloon placement are encouraging and comparable with other studies "as reported by Genco et al. (Int J of Obes 30:129-133, 2006)." Readmission due to nausea, vomiting, dehydration and poor compliance may be associated with poor weight loss and failure to progress to definitive surgery. Second balloon placements were less successful. CONCLUSION IGB as bridging therapy is a safe and useful adjunct. Sequential IGBs do not seem to provide additional benefit.

Insulin pump therapy: A guide for non-specialist staff (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Richardson, Erica A.

Citation:
Journal of Diabetes Nursing; Jan 2019; vol. 23 (no. 1); p. 1-7

Abstract:
With the growing use of insulin pump therapy worldwide, healthcare professionals from all sectors will see more and more people with diabetes who are currently using this therapy. Although NICE guidance stipulates that this cohort should be cared for by a "specialist team", healthcare professionals from all sectors are increasingly likely to care for these individuals. Therefore, training in the basic functions and principles of this kind of therapy can help us to support them, signpost them to services and involve relevant healthcare teams, to ensure they receive the best quality care and support to effectively manage their diabetes. This article provides basic information for nonspecialist staff to help them identify patients who may be suitable for this therapy, identify emergency situations and signpost to appropriate services.

An investigation into the perceived value of the College of Radiographers voluntary accreditation scheme for advanced and consultant practitioners in breast imaging (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Deane L.; Robinson L.; England A.

Citation:
Radiography; Aug 2019; vol. 25 (no. 3); p. 207-213

Abstract:
Introduction: A voluntary accreditation scheme has been introduced, requiring advanced (AdP) and consultant practitioners (CP) to submit several pieces of work to the College of Radiographers (CoR). However, few individuals have opted to become voluntary accredited. This study investigated the reasons behind becoming voluntary accredited, the value that was gained and why there appears to be a lack of support for the scheme.
Method(s): An online electronic survey was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Open questions enabled individual opinions and thoughts to be expressed, Likert scale style questions allowed further understanding of the level of agreement and closed questions identified the support for and against the scheme.
Result(s): A total of 55 respondents participated, including 18 AdPs, 25 CPs, 1 consultant trainee practitioner, 5 practitioners and 6 listed as 'other'. Forty-four participants were non-accredited, citing too much clinical work; no recognition from employers and too much effort for little reward. Motivations for joining the scheme were to improve the profession; help create a new consultant post and protect the non-clinical element of the consultant role.
Conclusion(s): The CoR voluntary accreditation scheme has a small perceived value but overall, the majority of respondents believed the scheme did not warrant the work needed to apply. Concern was raised about the risk of creating a two-tier profession by the scheme's instigation. The results of this study suggest that the CoR's voluntary accreditation scheme would need to address these barriers before more practitioners would apply.

Hand and Wrist Injuries Related to Motocross Injuries: 5 Year Series (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Singh R.; *Hay S.; Chojnowski A.

Citation:
The journal of hand surgery Asian-Pacific volume; Mar 2019; vol. 24 (no. 1); p. 60-64

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The increasingly fashionable sport of motocross is practiced worldwide by millions of people, but there is very little in the literature regarding its associated injuries and their prevention. We therefore present the first comprehensive, prospective study looking at hand and wrist injuries resulting from motocross injuries in the UK. METHOD(S): Data was prospectively collected over a 5-year period (from 2010 to 2015) at our regional trauma unit. We exclusively looked at motocross riders. Injuries sustained via motorcycle were excluded from our study. RESULT(S): During the period studied (five years), 615 injuries were collected, including 240 patients with 265 hand and wrist injuries. Most of injuries were sustained in male patients. The patient's age range was from 4-78 years with most injuries occurring during the spring and summer months. A total of 96 (40%) patients required operative treatment. The most common injury pattern was distal radius fractures (n = 53, 20%), followed by metacarpal fractures (n = 38, 14%) and phalangeal fractures (n = 36, 13.5%). CONCLUSION(S): This study shows the impact and incidence of related hand and wrist injuries. Motocross is a globally fashionable sport. This study shows that the number of annual tournaments and racers have doubled in last 5 years. The number of hand and wrist related injuries and operative requirements have quadruples over the last five years. It is recognized as a high-risk sport despite the use of protective equipment and course adaptions. These injuries can have implications for nearby treating hospitals.

Parent Experiences with Paediatric Allergy Pathways in the West Midlands: A Qualitative study. (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Diwakar, Lavanya; Cummins, Carole; Hackett, Scott; *Rees, Martyn; Charles, Lynette; Kerrigan, Caroline; Creed, Helen; Roberts, Tracy

Citation:
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Jan 2019 Volume49, Issue3, Pages 357-365

Abstract:
BACKGROUND The prevalence, severity and complexity of allergic diseases has been increasing steadily in the UK over the last few decades. Primary care physicians are often not adequately trained in allergy management whilst specialist services for allergy are scarce and heterogeneous. Services, therefore, have been unable to meet the rising demand. This is particularly true for paediatric allergy services in the UK. OBJECTIVE To understand parent experiences with paediatric allergy pathways in the West Midlands (WM) region of the UK. METHODS Parents of children aged between 0-16 years from the WM region were recruited opportunistically until thematic saturation was achieved. 18 semi-structured interviews were carried out and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed on NVivo software using the framework method. Themes were identified from the transcripts as well as from existing literature. RESULTS Parents highlighted numerous issues related to allergy services in the region including difficulties with being taken seriously by their physicians, problems with accessing healthcare and issues with information and the need for additional supportive care for allergies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Primary care for children with allergies in the West Midlands is disparate. Parents experience difficulties in accessing primary and secondary care services and also obtaining timely and appropriate information regarding their child's allergies. Most parents were happy to be reviewed by either specialist nurses or by consultants in the hospital. Improving accessibility and availability of reliable information as well as provision of additional services (such as psychologists and dietetics) were highlighted by parents as being important to allergy services in the region. These findings can help inform future planning and commissioning of allergy services

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