Objective:
Screening for cervical spine injury (CSI) after blunt trauma is common, but there remains varied practice patterns and clinical uncertainty regarding adequate radiographic evaluation. An oft-cited downside of MRI is the added risk compared to CT in the pediatric population; however, these specific risks have not yet been reported. This study examines the risks of cervical spine MRI in pediatric trauma patients in the context of what value MRI adds.
Methods:
Retrospective observational study of all pediatric blunt trauma patients who were evaluated with a cervical spine MRI over a four-year period at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Clinical and radiographic data were abstracted, as well as anesthesia requirements and MRI-related major adverse events. CT and MRI results were compared for their ability to detect clinically unstable injuries—those requiring halo or surgery.
Results:
There was one major adverse event related to MRI among the 269 patients who underwent cervical spine MRI—a rate of 0.37%. While 55% of children had an airway and anesthesia for MRI, only 57% of these airways were newly placed for the MRI. None of the 85 patients newly intubated for MRI developed aspiration pneumonitis or ventilator-associated pneumonia, and no patients had a significant neurologic event while at MRI. Another area of the body was imaged concurrently with the cervical spine MRI in 64% of patients and 83% of MRIs were performed within 48 hours. CT and MRI were both 100% sensitive for injuries requiring halo or operative intervention. Eighty-three patients had an MRI performed after a negative CT, 11% (9/83) of these patients had a clinically stable injury detected on subsequent MRI, and none of these patients presented for delayed cervical spine complications.
Conclusions:
Overall, the safety profile of MRI in this setting is excellent and less than one-third of patients need new airway and anesthesia solely for MRI. In this clinical scenario, MRIs can happen relatively quickly and many patients require another body part to be imaged concurrently anyway. MRI and CT were both 100% sensitive for clinically unstable injuries. In the appropriate patients, MRI remains a safe and radiation-free alternative to CT.
Background and Objectives
Tumor deposit (TD) is a poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study aimed to determine whether TD carry the same risk of peritoneal recurrence as known high‐risk (HR) features in CRC patients.
Methods
A retrospective cohort‐study of stage I−III CRC patients from 2010 to 2015 was conducted. TD group was defined by the presence of TD on histopathology whereas HR group was defined by the presence of obstruction, perforation, or T4‐stage.
Results
A total of 151 patients with CRC were identified, of which 50 had TD and 101 had a HR feature. The overall risk of peritoneal recurrence was higher in the TD group versus HR group (36.0% vs. 19.8%, p = 0.03). The risk of peritoneum as the site of first recurrence was also higher in the TD group (22.0% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.03). Overall cancer recurrence at any site was also higher in the TD group (56.0% vs. 34.7%, p = 0.01). Median time to first recurrence was 1.2 (0.7−1.9) years in the TD group compared to 1.4 (0.8−2.1) years in the HR group (p = 0.31).
Conclusions
In non‐metastatic CRC patients, TD might have a higher risk of tumor recurrence versus their HR counterparts. Alternative strategies for surveillance and treatment should be considered.
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