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Positive prostate biopsy laterality and implications for staging.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of including positive prostate biopsy information in palpation staging (2002 system) and the influence of this information on freedom from biochemical failure (bNED). Prostate biopsy laterality status (unilateral versus bilateral positive) is part of clinical staging using American Joint Commission on Cancer criteria, but is rarely used. METHODS: From April 1, 1989 to September 30, 1999, 1038 patients with palpable T1-T3Nx-0M0 prostate cancer were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy alone. Kaplan-Meier bNED curves were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model of bNED was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 46 months. The proportion of patients with bilateral positive biopsies by palpation category T1c was 24%, by T2a was 17%, by T2b was 26%, by T2c was 65%, and by T3 was 53%. No statistically significant difference was noted in bNED on the basis of biopsy laterality status for the palpation T stages T1c, T2a, T2b, or T3. A statistically significant difference in the 5-year bNED in the T2c stage was found; those with unilateral positive biopsies fared worse (46% versus 74%, respectively, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of positive biopsy laterality status into clinical staging causes stage migration without reflecting a change in outcome and should not be used.

Aged↗

Repeatability and accuracy of reproductive tract scoring to determine pubertal status in beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to compare the repeatability and accuracy of palpation per rectum to transrectal ultrasonography and serum progesterone concentrations for determining pubertal status in beef heifers. One hundred and seventy-four rectal examinations were performed on 29 predominantly Angus heifers by two veterinarians (A and B) and assigned individual reproductive tract scores (RTS) during monthly examinations over a 3-month period. Heifers were examined in the morning by both veterinarians, randomized, and re-examined in the afternoon. The size and location of ovarian structures of each heifer were determined by ultrasonography. Heifers with follicles >10mm in diameter or corpora lutea were classified as pubertal. Serum progesterone concentrations at the time of the examination and 10 days later were determined by radioimmunoassay and used to classify heifers as prepubertal (<1 ng/ml in both samples) or pubertal (at least one sample >or=1 ng/ml). Kappa, which describes degree of agreement beyond chance, was used to determine repeatability of the RTS system. Multicategory Kappa for agreement was 0.64 within veterinarian, 0.46 between veterinarian, and 0.35 between palpation per rectum and transrectal ultrasonography. Sensitivity and specificity of palpation per rectum for diagnosis of pubertal status compared to serum progesterone levels were higher (82 and 69%, respectively) than sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (79 and 59%, respectively). This study validates the RTS system as a repeatable and accurate screening test to evaluate pubertal status in groups of heifers prior to the onset of the breeding season.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a new method for the carotid pulse check in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: The ability to determine the presence or absence of a central pulse remains a key skill in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for healthcare providers, despite studies showing that they perform this poorly. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified technique for palpation of the carotid pulse. METHODS: Sixty seven undergraduate dental students were taught the standard method of carotid pulse detection during a basic life support session and were also taught a modified method. Each student was asked to palpate the carotid pulse of a volunteer in two positions (neck neutral and neck extended) with the volunteer on the floor and on a trolley. The time taken to identify the pulse was measured and the scenarios compared. RESULTS: The time to detect the carotid pulse was reduced in three of the four scenarios (floor, neck extended P=0.0053, trolley neck neutral P=0.0070, trolley neck extended P=0.0024). The final scenario (floor, neck neutral) showed no improvement (P=0.36). CONCLUSION: The new method of carotid pulse palpation results in a more rapid determination of the carotid pulse when it is present in all positions except with the neck neutral on the floor. This will only be clinically significant if trauma is suspected.

Adult↗

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and epiaortic ultrasound for assessment of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and epiaortic ultrasound in the detection of atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta is a major risk factor for perioperative stroke and systemic embolism in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Forty-four patients underwent prospective evaluation of the ascending aorta with two ultrasound techniques-epiaortic ultrasound and biplane TEE-and by palpation. The severity of atherosclerosis was graded on a four-point scale as normal, mild, moderate or severe. RESULTS: A comparison of results with biplane TEE and those with epiaortic ultrasound yielded a kappa value of 0.12 (95% confidence interval 0 to 0.25), indicating poor correlation between the two. Compared with epiaortic ultrasound, biplane TEE significantly underestimated the severity of ascending aortic atherosclerosis, and this underestimation was more marked in the distal ascending aorta (p < 0.0001). When compared with epiaortic ultrasound and biplane TEE, palpation of the ascending aorta significantly underestimated the presence and severity of atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Epiaortic ultrasound is more accurate than TEE for identification of atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta, but both ultrasound techniques are superior to palpation. Epiaortic ultrasound and TEE provide complementary information regarding thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. Modification of surgical technique on the basis of results of intraoperative epiaortic ultrasound and TEE in elderly patients undergoing cardiac procedures may prevent atheroembolic complications.

Aged↗

Predictive value of clinical findings for temporomandibular joint effusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the predictive value of clinical symptoms for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) effusion. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-one patients with TMJ pain were assessed by means of a standardized clinical examination and MRI. A calibrated investigator evaluated the presence of 8 clinical indicators (predictors) of TMJ effusion (outcome variable). A logistic regression analysis was performed to detect significant associations between clinical symptoms and MRI findings of TMJ effusion. The accuracy of the final logit to predict effusion was compared with that derived from univariate analysis. RESULTS: A clinical examination based upon the assessment of pain in the TMJ with lateral palpation, with posterior palpation, during motion, and during maximum assisted opening, and the presence of click and crepitus sounds has an accuracy of 78.7% to predict TMJ effusion. Among the single clinical symptoms, the most reliable predictor of TMJ effusion is the presence of pain with lateral palpation (accuracy 76.2%; K =.525). CONCLUSION: The use of a multiple regression approach demonstrated that an extensive clinical assessment which considers 6 main indicators consents to predict accurately the presence of MRI TMJ effusion. Based on these findings, MRI assessment should be reserved for patients in which the exact disc-condyle relationship needs to be evaluated.

Facial Pain↗

Postoperative bladder distention: measurement with bladder ultrasonography.

Bladder distention is a common postoperative occurrence. A process improvement project was conducted at a Midwestern Veteran Affairs Medical Center to determine whether a new method for detecting bladder distention, bladder ultrasonography, was more effective than manual palpation in the perianesthesia setting. Data were collected on 494 men over a 9-month period using bladder ultrasonography. Of those patients, 19.4% had postoperative bladder distention with greater than 400 mL of urine. This compared with 1.4% of patients who had bladder distention detected during the previous year using manual palpation. Data from the project supported the use of bladder ultrasonography as being more effective than manual palpation in the assessment of postoperative bladder distention in the PACU.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of lymphoscintigraphy with a new technetium compound for metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy for the detection of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy. METHODS: Dynamic and static lymphoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-HSA-D was performed in 23 patients with malignant oropharyngeal tumors. The internal jugular nodes were excised and examined pathologically. The results of the lymphoscintigraphy were compared with the pathological examination and clinical palpation for accuracy. RESULTS: All cases showed abnormal findings on lymphoscintigraphy. The accuracy on dynamic scintigraphy was 69% for asymmetric drainage, 69% for delayed drainage and 100% for inverse drainage. The overall accuracy for each side was 71%. With static scintigraphy, the accuracy was 69% for asymmetry, 86% for fitting defect, 67% for mottled-patchy appearance, 70% in swelling and 100% for collateral pathway. The overall accuracy for each side was 74%. The agreement between lymphoscintigraphy and palpation was 44%. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-HSA-D was superior to palpation. The method is useful as a supplementary modality for the evaluation of metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy because of its relatively high accuracy and a low false-negative rate.

Adult↗

An evaluation of ultrasound imaging for identification of lumbar intervertebral level.

The accuracy of ultrasound imaging to identify lumbar intervertebral level was assessed in 50 patients undergoing X-ray of the lumbar spine. Using an ultraviolet marker, an anaesthetist attempted to mark the L2/3, L3/4 and L4/5 intervertebral spaces. A radiologist unaware of these marks attempted to mark the same spaces with the aid of ultrasound imaging. X-ray-visible pellets were taped to the back at the various marks prior to lateral lumbar X-ray. Ultrasound imaging identified the correct level in up to 71% of cases, but palpation was successful in only 30% (p < 0.001). Up to 27% of marks using the palpation method were more than one spinal level above or below the assumed level using palpation, but none were more than one level high or low using ultrasound guidance.

Adult↗

Prediction of demand for treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

Baseline (BL) data on signs and symptoms characteristic of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were analysed in 67 young non-patients participating as controls in a clinical trial. Data on the incidence of demand for treatment of TMD were collected during the 4-year follow-up period, and, by means of a mailed questionnaire, during an additional 2 years. The variables analysed included palpation and auscultation of the joints, palpation of the muscles of mastication, experience of joint sounds, of pain on jaw movements, of ear symptoms, awareness of a clenching habit, and frequency of headache. A present-absent dichotomy was applied throughout. Palpation tenderness of masticatory muscles was significantly (P=0.02) more often present at BL in those who subsequently requested treatment than in those who did not. The same was true of the combination of palpatory tenderness and clenching habit (P=0.007), whereas the clenching habit alone failed to show a significant difference (P=0.06). However, the predictive values remained too low to be clinically useful, with a possible exception of the negative predictive value of muscle tenderness. The findings indicate that the variables conventionally used to describe the functional status of the masticatory system are at best of modest value in the estimation of individual risk of TMD in healthy young subjects.

Adolescent↗

Muscle tenderness in pericranial and neck-shoulder region in children with headache. A controlled study.

Increased pericranial muscle tenderness is connected with tension-type headache in adults. In children, the importance of muscle tenderness in the pericranial or neck-shoulder region in the pathogenesis of different types of headache is unknown. The present study evaluated muscle tenderness in the pericranial and neck-shoulder region in children with migraine, those with tension-type headache and those without headache. An unselected population-based questionnaire study concerning headache was carried out in 1135 Finnish schoolchildren aged 12 years. Of them, 183 children were randomly selected for a face-to-face interview and a clinical examination. Muscle tenderness was recorded by manual palpation and dolorimeter. Children with migraine had increased overall tenderness, recorded by manual palpation, compared with those without headache. They also self-reported tenderness in the neck-shoulder region during daily activities more often than the children of the other groups. Muscle tenderness was not associated with paediatric tension-type headache. The mean pressure pain thresholds did not differ among the three groups. However, a negative correlation between the total tenderness score and the dolorimeter score was found in each group. In conclusion, children with migraine had increased muscle tenderness at palpation of the pericranial and neck-shoulder muscles and they also reported pain symptoms in the neck-shoulder region most frequently. Instead, increased pericranial and neck-shoulder muscle tenderness was not associated with tension-type headache in children.

Child↗

[Ranking of 20 MHz sonography of malignant melanoma and pigmented lesions in routine diagnosis].

PURPOSE: Eleven dermatology clinics from all over Germany took part in our multicenter prospective study with the aim of evaluating 20 MHz sonography in the preoperative diagnosis of malignant melanomas and other pigmented skin tumours. It was to be assessed how effective sonographic measurement of thickness would compare to histology and the clinical palpation of tumour thickness and also the significance of differential diagnosis in sonography of malignant melanomas. METHOD: The prospective multicenter study proceed as follows. To the end of August 1997 264 patients with a primary malignant melanoma and 417 patients with benign skin tumours were examined via 20 MHz sonography. Two different examiners estimated the clinical thickness of the tumour by palpation. The tumour was then excised and examined for postoperative correlation with the histology sections. RESULTS: The final results showed good correlation between the histological and sonographic estimation of tumour thickness (r = 0.97). Estimation of tumour thickness by palpation showed no correlation with the histology (r = 0.59). Most of the benign (44%) and malignant tumours (38.7%) were spindle shaped. There was no significant difference between the benign and malignant tumour groups in relation to the sonographic presented shapes or echo signs. No different diagnosis could be made. CONCLUSION: The technique of high frequency sonography in relation to preoperative diagnosis of malignant melanomas has high priority. In contrast to clinical estimation of tumour thickness, sonography provided a good correlation to histology. The effectiveness of sonography with regard to the valence of the skin tumours is limited and there is no possibility of differentiating between malignant and benign tumours from the morphological face value. Hence, there is a demand for developing a 150 MHz apparatus which will be able to supply evidence regarding the valence of skin tumours.

Diagnostic Tests, Routine↗

Clinical comparison between two different splint designs for temporomandibular disorder therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare splint therapy in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using two splint designs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a double-blind randomized parallel trial, 40 consenting patients were selected from the dental faculty pool of TMD patients. Two splint designs were produced: an ordinary stabilization (Michigan type) and a NTI (Nociceptiv trigeminal inhibition). The differences in splint design were not described to the patients. All patients were treated by one operator. A separate, blinded, examiner assessed joint and muscle tenderness by palpation and jaw opening prior to splint therapy, and after 2 and 6 weeks' and 3 months' splint use during night-time. The patients reported headache and TMD-related pain on a visual analog scale before and after splint use, and were asked to describe the comfort of the splint and invited to comment. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with mainly myogenic problems were observed over 3 months. A reduction of muscle tenderness upon palpation and self-reported TMD-related pain and headache and an improved jaw opening was seen in both splint groups (p < 0.05; paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests). There were no changes for TM joint tenderness upon palpation. No differences were noted between the two splint designs after 3 months for the chosen criteria of treatment efficacy (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSION: No differences in treatment efficacy were noted between the Michigan and the NTI splint types when compared over 3 months.

Adult↗

Preoperative assessment of focal liver lesions: multidetector computed tomography challenges magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate prospectively multidetector computed tomography (CT) (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of focal liver lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multiphasic MDCT and conventional gadolinium-enhanced MRI were performed on 31 consecutive patients prior to hepatic surgery. All images were blindly analyzed as consensus reading. Lesion counts and their relation to vascular structures and possible extrahepatic disease were determined. The data from the MDCT and MRI were compared with the results obtained by intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) and palpation. Histopathologic verification was available. RESULTS: At surgery, IOUS and palpation revealed 45 solid liver lesions. From these, preoperative MDCT detected 43 (96%) and MRI 35 (78%) deposits. MDCT performed statistically better than MRI in lesion detection (P=0.008). Assessment of lesion vascular proximity was correctly determined by MDCT in 98% of patients and by MRI in 87%. Statistical difference was found (P=0.002). IOUS and palpation changed the preoperative surgical plan as a result of extrahepatic disease in 8/31 (26%) cases. In MDCT as well in MRI extrahepatic involvement was suspected in two cases. CONCLUSION: MDCT was superior to MRI and nearly equal to IOUS in liver lesion detection and in the determination of lesion vascular proximity. However, both techniques fail to reliably detect extrahepatic disease.

Adult↗

Changes in physical examination caused by use of spinal immobilization.

UNLABELLED: The standard of care for patients following blunt trauma includes midline palpation of vertebrae to rule out fractures. Previous studies have demonstrated that spinal immobilization does cause discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spinal immobilization causes changes in physical exam findings over time. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, prospective study at a tertiary care university teaching hospital. Twenty healthy volunteers without previous back pain or injuries, 13 male and seven female, were fully immobilized for one hour, with a cervical collar and strapped to a long wooden backboard. Midline palpation of vertebrae to illicit pain was performed at 10-minute intervals. In addition, the participants were asked to rate neck and back pain on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 for no pain, and 10 for unbearable pain), to see whether subjective pain from immobilization correlated with tenderness to palpation. RESULTS: Three patients had point tenderness of cervical vertebrae within 40 minutes. Five patients developed point tenderness of vertebrae by 60 minutes. Eighteen of 20 participants complained of increasing discomfort over time. The median initial pain scale was 1 (range 1-1), in contrast to 4 (range 1-9) at 60 minutes, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: This study shows that over time, standard immobilization causes a false-positive exam for midline vertebral tenderness. In order to reduce this high false-positive rate for midline vertebral tenderness, the authors recommend that, initially on arrival to the emergency department, immediate evaluation occur of all immobilized patients. Furthermore, backboards should be modified to reduce patient discomfort to prevent the iatrogenically induced midline vertebral tenderness, thereby reducing subsequent false-positive examinations.

Adult↗

Assessment of goiter in an area of endemic iodine deficiency.

Urinary iodone (UI) excretion and sonographically measured thyroid volume were investigated in 195 subjects living in 6 separate villages in the Casamance region of southeastern Senegal, West Africa. A comparison of goiter prevalence using thyroid palpation and volume measurement and of iodine excretion expressed as micrograms per gram (microg/g) creatinine or micrograms per deciliter (microg/dl) urine was undertaken, and possible pathogenetic factors were investigated. Ultrasound measured thyroid volumes were above the recommended upper limit of the reference range for an area replete in iodine in 83.1% or females, 52.3% of males, and 80.0% of children aged 13 years or younger. Overall sensitivity and specificity for palpation compared to sonographically demonstrated thyroid enlargement was 51.7% and 91.5%, respectively. Thyroid enlargement was not associated with ethnic origin, thiocyanate ingestion, HLA DR/DQ phenotype frequency, or thyroid growth-stimulating immunoglobulin (TGI) positivity. Median UI was 32 microg/g creatinine with 65.0% having values consistent with iodine deficiency (< 50 microg/g). When results were expressed as micrograms per deciliter, the percentage having values consistent with iodine deficiency (< 5.0 microg/dl) increased to 95.7%. The findings suggest a primary role for iodine deficiency in goitrogenesis in the study population. They demonstrate that classification of the severity of the endemia in this or other study populations in areas of iodine deficiency is dependent on the methods used to determine goiter prevalence (palpation or ultrasound measured thyroid enlargement), or dietary iodine status (iodine excretion expressed as micrograms per gram creatinine or micrograms per deciliter urine).

Adolescent↗

Urinary iodine excretion is the most appropriate outcome indicator for iodine deficiency at field conditions at district level.

To empower local authorities to plan and evaluate adequate interventions, appropriate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicators need to be identified. The aim of this study was to describe the magnitude and severity of IDD with different outcome indicators and associate them with functional indicators. Schoolchildren (n = 544) aged 8-10 y were assessed in 11 villages within five subdistricts of Malang District, East Java, Indonesia. Outcome indicators of IDD were goiter size as measured by palpation and ultrasonography (USG), urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in blood as well as functional indicators such as intellectual performance (IQ: Catell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test) and anthropometric indices. The total goiter rate (TGR) measured by palpation and USG were 35.7 and 54.4%, respectively. Based on UIE and TSH, the prevalence of iodine deficiency was 63.7 and 3.4%, respectively. In individuals, goiter, thyroid volume and UIE were associated significantly (r = -0.35; P < 0.001 and r = -0.30; P = 0.02 respectively). Among villages, TGR measured by palpation was significantly correlated with thyroid volume (r = 0.61; P = 0.045) and UIE (r = 0.68; P = 0.021), whereas TSH was not significantly associated with any of the observed indicators in individuals or groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that USG (beta = -0.67; P < 0.001) and UIE (beta = 4.39; P = 0.008) related significantly with cognitive performance (IQ). The associations between IDD indicators and cognitive performance and height-for-age Z scores suggest that socioeconomically advantaged children had better iodine status. We suggest that UIE is the best indicator for local authorities to assess iodine deficiency.

Child↗

Interexaminer reliability of observations in physical examinations of the neck.

The purpose of this study was to collect data on interexaminer reliability of a set of tests representative of the clinical examination of a patient with neck and radicular pain. A conventional neurological examination, palpations, and tests for the provocation or relief of radicular symptoms were performed on 52 patients by two independent raters. Good reliability was obtained in the atrophy inspection of the small muscles of the hand, in the sensitivity tests for touch and pain, and in the neck compression and axial manual traction tests. Fair reliability was obtained in muscle strength testing and in the estimation of the range of motion, and poor reliability was obtained for many palpations. Poor standardization of examination procedures and changes in the patients' attention were considered the main factors affecting reliability. Better operational definitions and procedures, such as the standardization of palpation pressure and traction force, are suggested for future studies.

Adolescent↗

Localization and surgical treatment of occult insulinomas.

Management of patients with biochemical evidence of insulinoma and negative preoperative imaging studies (occult) tumors is controversial, varying from primarily medical management to aggressive, blind nearly total pancreatectomy to extirpate the tumor. Since 1982, 12 consecutive patients with occult insulinoma underwent preoperative portal venous sampling (PVS) for insulin followed by surgical exploration with intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS). Eleven of twelve patients (92%) had insulinoma removed and were cured. Portal venous sampling correctly predicted the location of the insulinoma in 9 patients (75%) and that no tumor would be found in another patient. A fourfold insulin gradient in the pancreatic tail of one patient correctly predicted that a distal pancreatectomy would remove the insulinoma despite the fact that neither palpation nor IOUS identified any tumor. Intraoperative ultrasound was the single best method to identify occult tumors because it correctly identified 10 of 11 insulinomas that were found, including five pancreatic head tumors that were not palpable. Palpation identified five insulinomas. Of the 10 tumors that were identified during operation by palpation or ultrasound, IOUS identified significantly more (100% versus 50%, p = 0.03) and guided the successful enucleation of each. The results support the strategy of preoperative PVS and operation with IOUS to localize and remove insulinoma in patients with occult tumors. Most tumors (75%) will be correctly localized to a specific pancreatic region by preoperative PVS and identified by IOUS (83%), allowing simple enucleation and biochemical correction of hypoglycemia. Morbid blind pancreatic resections are no longer indicated and long-term medical management of hypoglycemia should be reserved for the occasional patient (8%) who fails preoperative PVS and operation guided by IOUS.

Adult↗