2023

Radiological and Imaging Evidence in the Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections: An Update (2023)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Vaishnav, Aditya; *Gurukiran, Gurukiran; Ighodaro, Osazuwa; Kandi, Venkataramana

Citation:
Cureus. 15(11):e48756, 2023 Nov.

Abstract:
Microbial infections are extremely prevalent throughout the world. Bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses generally cause them. Most microbial infections spread from humans to humans and from animals to humans. A vast majority of microbial infections are self-limiting. However, some microbial infections result in severe morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of microbial infections generally depends on the direct demonstration of microbes in human clinical specimens through microscopy followed by culture. Some microbes are uncultivable, and among those that are cultivable, some take a very long time to grow in the laboratory. This causes delays in the diagnosis that may result in poor patient outcomes. Serological and molecular methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively, have been extensively used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, these require costly infrastructure and adequate personnel training. In this context, alternative, more efficient, and rapid detection methods for the diagnosis of microbial infections are warranted. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the role played by radiological investigations in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.

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Orbital Onset: The Intricate Journey From Ear Abscess to Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis in a Diabetic Male (2023)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):*Ekomwereren, Osatohanmwen; Sunkara, Vyshnavidevi; Grezenko, Han; Hamid, Yusra H; Faran, Nuzhat; Abubakar, Muhammad.

Citation:Cureus. 15(11):e48922, 2023 Nov.

Abstract:Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare, yet severe condition often linked to infections in the nasal and facial areas. We present a case of a 43-year-old male farmer with diabetes who initially showed ear abscess symptoms that progressed to vision loss and CST-like symptoms. Self-treatment and an unidentified medication regimen may have worsened his condition. Advanced diagnostic evaluations, particularly magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance venography, confirmed CST, likely originating from the ear infection spreading to the eyes, causing bilateral orbital cellulitis. Treatment with antibiotics, anticoagulants, and supportive therapy stabilized the patient's condition. This case emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in CST, especially in atypical presentations, and the need for comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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A Literature Review of Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic Radical Nephrectomy (RRN) Versus Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy (LRN) for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) (2023)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Alzamzami, Muhannad; Geirbely, Alsamoal; *Ahmed, Mohamed B; Osman, Rabab; Gandhi, Rahi; Mohammed, Mahmoud; Elhadi, Mohammed; Kodera, Ahmed

Citation:Cureus. 15(11):e49077, 2023 Nov.

Abstract:Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an adenocarcinoma of the renal cortex. Radical nephrectomy remains the standard of care for managing massive renal tumours. Robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy is an increasing alternative technique to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN). The da Vinci Surgical System allows for improved dexterity, increased visualisation, tremor filtration and an ergonomic setting to enhance surgeon comfort. The aim was to compare the perioperative outcomes pertaining to operative time, intraoperative complications, blood loss and length of hospital stay between the robotic and LRN for RCC. Studies that compared the perioperative findings between robotic radical nephrectomy (RNN) and LRN for RCC were included. The literature review was carried out according to the Cochrane collaboration standards where applicable. Highly sensitive search strategies like MeSH terms and controlled vocabularies were used to identify relevant studies that compare the RNN outcomes to the LRN. Following the literature search, a total of 73 articles were collected, 60 articles were excluded at the stage of reviewing the titles, eight articles were excluded after reading the abstracts, and five articles were included in this paper. Five studies were included in this analysis, with a total sample size of 1770 patients, 735 were in the robotic arm, and 1035 were in the laparoscopic arm. Generally, there were no differences between both arms in terms of demographic data and age of patients. Closer analysis of the perioperative outcomes did not reveal significant differences between the two groups related to the estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay or post-operative complications. The laparoscopic techniques have less operative time than the robotic ones. RRN is an expanding approach for patients with RCC with some potential technical benefits over laparoscopic ones. RRN is similar to LRN in the perioperative outcomes, with few potential drawbacks of RRN, including higher costs. However, a prospective comparison of RRN with LRN in many cases at multiple centres with long-term oncological results best illustrates the status of RRN versus LRN.

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Rationalise stock on Ward 10 - PRH (2023)

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Type of publication:Service improvement case study

Author(s):*Yvonne Herbert, *Gary Francis

Citation:SaTH Improvement Hub, October 2023

Abstract:Ensure all stock items are available, easily accessible and appropriate stock levels are agreed by October 2023, complying with IPC and Healthy and Safety regulations, including a reduction of 1% in holding stock by October 2023.

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Training Governance Colleagues in Improvement Methodology (2023)

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Type of publication:Service improvement case study

Author(s):*Gemma Styles

Citation:SaTH Improvement Hub, September 2023

Abstract:To ensure that all members of the governance teams (and patient safety teams) have been offered the opportunity to engage in the improvement hub training programmes (either fundamentals or Practitioner) by end of August 2023 in preparation for the introduction of PSIRF.

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To reduce the use of take away containers in the improvement hub (2023)

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Type of publication:Service improvement case study

Author(s):*Gemma Styles

Citation:SaTH Improvement Hub, October 2023

Abstract:To reduce the number of takeaway cups and takeaway food boxes used by the improvement team whilst in the improvement hub by 95% by the end of September 2023.

Link to PDF poster