The ulnar nerve is the second most commonly entrapped nerve after the median nerve. Although clinical evaluation and electrodiagnostic studies remain widely used for the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy, advancements in imaging have led to increased utilization of these newer / better imaging techniques in the overall management of ulnar neuropathy. Specifically, high-resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves as well as MRI has become quite useful in evaluating the ulnar nerve in order to better guide treatment. The caliber and fascicular pattern identified in the normal ulnar nerves are important distinguishing features from ulnar nerve pathology. The cubital tunnel within the elbow and Guyon’s canal within the wrist are important sites to evaluate with respect to ulnar nerve compression. Both acute and chronic conditions resulting in deformity, trauma as well as inflammatory conditions may predispose certain patients to ulnar neuropathy. Granulomatous diseases as well as both neurogenic and non-neurogenic tumors can also potentially result in ulnar neuropathy. Tumors around the ulnar nerve can also lead to mass effect on the nerve, particularly in tight spaces like the aforementioned canals. Although high-resolution ultrasonography is a useful modality initially, particularly as it can be helpful for dynamic evaluation, MRI remains most reliable due to its higher resolution. Newer imaging techniques like sonoelastography and microneurography, as well as nerve-specific contrast agents, are currently being investigated for their usefulness and are not routinely being used currently.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been associated with myocardial damage. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels have been reported to be elevated and to portend worse outcomes among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The value of NT-proBNP in COVID-19 patients without heart failure (HF) is unclear, and data from the United States are limited. We reviewed the medical records of 304 adults without history of HF admitted to Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island, NY, from March 1 to April 15, 2020 with documented severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring high-flow oxygen therapy (non-rebreather mask, Venturi mask with FiO2 >50%, or high-flow nasal cannula). We excluded patients transferred already intubated from outside hospitals and those who were intubated or died within 24h of admission. NT-proBNP was measured with a standard Roche Diagnostics assay with a 5-ng/L limit of detection. Follow-up data were collected until death or hospital discharge or 30 days if still in the hospital by database lock (May 15, 2020). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and the secondary endpoint was death or need for intubation. The association of NT-proBNP with the endpoints was evaluated with multivariable Cox regression models. Mean age was 60±17 years; 95 (31.2%) of patients were female; 156 (51.3%) were White, 103 (33.9%) Hispanic, 22 (7.2%) Black, and 21 (6.9%) Asian; 91 (29.9%) had diabetes, 39 (12.8%) coronary artery disease (CAD), and 27 (8.9%) atrial fibrillation (AF); mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.3±6.5 kg/m 2 . On admission, mean O2 saturation (O2SAT) was 89±8% and median NT-proBNP was 156 ng/L (44-729). After a median of 12 days (8-20), 74 patients (24.3%) died and 59 more (19.4%) were intubated and survived to hospital discharge. Baseline NT-proBNP was strongly associated with mortality. In models adjusting for age, sex, race, diabetes, CAD, AF, BMI, and baseline O2SAT, every log-2 (doubling) of NT-proBNP was associated with 29% higher risk (HR 1.29; 95%CI: 1.17-1.43; P<0.001). The association of baseline NT-proBNP with the composite of death or intubation was weaker (HR 1.09; 95%CI: 1.01-1.18; P = 025). Among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, admission NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of mortality. Elevated NT-proBNP levels may identify a subgroup of patients in need of cardioprotective therapy.

Introduction: The value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in hospitalized patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. Hypothesis: Elevated NT-proBNP is associated with worse prognosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients regardless of history of HF. Methods: We evaluated the in-hospital course of 469 adults admitted to Stony Brook University Hospital, NY, from March 1 to April 15, 2020 with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (need for high-flow O 2 ). We excluded patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) or died within 24h of admission. We used Cox regression models to examine the association of admission NT-proBNP with mortality and the composite of death or MV. Results: Admission NT-proBNP was available in 399 patients (85.1%) of this cohort. Table 1 summarizes the patient characteristics according to history of HF (41/399 [10.3%]). After a median of 13 days (8-22), 107 patients (26.8%) died and 86 additional patients (21.6%) required MV and survived. Both HF (HR 3.65; 95%CI 2.32-5.77; P<0.001) and admission NT-proBNP (HR per log-2 [doubling] 1.35; 95%CI 1.27-1.44; P<0.001) were strongly associated with mortality. In models adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, and baseline 0 2 saturation, every log-2 higher admission NT-proBNP was associated with 28% higher mortality in patients with HF (HR 1.28; 95%CI 1.02-1.61; P=0.037) and 26% higher mortality in patients without HF (HR 1.26; 95%CI 1.14-1.40; P<0.001), P for interaction 0.92. Admission NT-proBNP was also associated with the composite of death or MV in the entire cohort (adjusted HR per log-2 1.09; 95%CI 1.02-1.17; P=0.017). Conclusions: In these high-risk COVID-19 patients, admission NT-proBNP was strongly predictive of mortality regardless of HF. Elevated NT-proBNP may thus identify patients in need of cardioprotective measures.

Background Systemic corticosteroids (steroids) have been empirically used in acute respiratory distress syndrome, an entity also present in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Early steroids administration could accelerate resolution of symptoms and reduce intensive care unit (ICU) stay in these patients, but practice varies widely as evidence is scant. Methods We reviewed the records of 498 adults admitted to Stony Brook University Hospital, NY, from 3/1 to 4/15, 2020 with COVID-19 requiring high-flow O2 (non-rebreather mask, Venturi mask with FiO2 &gt;50%, or high-flow nasal cannula). We excluded those (N=29) who received mechanical ventilation (MV) or died within 24h of admission. We followed patients until death or discharge. We compared outcomes between patients who received early steroids (i.e. prior to MV) and those who did not. We used adjusted Cox models to evaluate the composite of death or need for MV. We also evaluated healthcare resources utilization. Results Of 469 patients, 175 (37.3%) received steroids while on high flow O2. Table 1 summarizes the baseline characteristics. Patients who received steroids were more likely to have asthma, had slightly longer duration of symptoms, lower O2 saturation, higher NT-proBNP and lower IL-6 levels at baseline. In total, 228 patients (48.6%) reached the composite endpoint (123 died and 105 received MV). By 7 days, 32.5% of patients who received steroids died or were intubated vs. 44.8% of those who did not (log-rank P=0.008), Figure 1. In models adjusted for race, age, sex, comorbidities, baseline O2 saturation and procalcitonin, steroids reduced risk for death or MV by 44% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56; 95%CI 0.42–0.76; P&lt; 0.001). The effect was time-dependent with initial HR 0.34 (95%CI 0.21–0.56; P&lt; 0.001) and daily attenuation by 10.2% (95%CI 1.7%–19.4%; P=0.017). Mortality at 7 and 14 days did not differ between groups (8.1% vs. 8.3% and 19.1% vs. 21.0%, respectively, log-rank P=0.75). Among discharged patients, length of hospital stay was longer, but ICU stay was shorter with steroids, Table 2. Patient Characteristics According to Use of Early Steroids Healthcare Resources Utilization According to Use of Early Steroids Among Discharged Patients Conclusion Early administration of steroids reduced primarily the need for MV in our high-risk COVID-19 patients, with shorter ICU utilization, at the expense of longer hospital stay. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of steroids in these patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures