METHODS: 192 patients with MTBI and ICH were treated between November 2019 to December 2020 at a single level II trauma center. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was used to classify MTBI, and initial head CT was performed according to the Canadian CT head rule. Patients with a higher risk of ICH progression, including the elderly (≥65 years old), patients on antiplatelets or anticoagulants, or patients with an initial head CT that revealed EDH, contusional bleeding, or SDH > 5 mm, and multiple ICH underwent a repeat head CT within 12 to 24 h later. Data regarding types of intervention, length of stay in the hospital, and outcome were collected. The risk of further neurological deterioration and readmission rates were compared between these two groups. All patients were followed up in the clinic after one month or contacted via phone if they did not return.
RESULTS: 189 patients underwent scheduled repeated head CT, 18% had radiological intracranial bleed progression, and 82% had no changes. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of intervention rate, risk of neurological deterioration in the future, or readmission between them.
CONCLUSION: Repeat head CT in mild TBI patients with no neurological deterioration is not recommended, even in patients with a higher risk of ICH progression.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study with retrospective record review was conducted in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Selangor, Malaysia. We included all hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection who had undergone CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) examinations for suspected PTE disease between April 2021 and May 2021. Clinical data and laboratory data were extracted by trained data collectors, whilst CT images retrieved were analysed by a senior radiologist. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
RESULTS: We studied 184 COVID-19 patients who were suspected to have PTE disease. CTPA examinations revealed a total of 150 patients (81.5%) suffered from concomitant PTE disease. Among the PTE cohort, the commonest comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (n=78, 52.0%), hypertension (n=66, 44.0%) and dyslipidaemia (n=25, 16.7%). They were generally more ill than the non-PTE cohort as they reported a significantly higher COVID-19 disease category during CTPA examination with p=0.042. Expectedly, their length of both intensive care unit stays (median number of days 8 vs. 3; p=0.021) and hospital stays (median number of days 14.5 vs. 12; p=0.006) were significantly longer. Intriguingly, almost all the subjects had received either therapeutic anticoagulation or thromboprophylactic therapy prior to CTPA examination (n=173, 94.0%). Besides, laboratory data analysis identified a significantly higher peak C-reactive protein (median 124.1 vs. 82.1; p=0.027) and ferritin levels (median 1469 vs. 1229; p=0.024) among them. Evaluation of CT features showed that COVID-19 pneumonia pattern (p<0.001) and pulmonary angiopathy (p<0.001) were significantly more profound among the PTE cohort. To note, the most proximal pulmonary thrombosis was located in the segmental (n=3, 2.0%) and subsegmental pulmonary arteries (n=147, 98.0%). Also, the thrombosis predominantly occurred in bilateral lungs with multilobar involvement (n=95, 63.3%).
CONCLUSION: Overall, PTE disease remains prevalent among COVID-19 patients despite timely administration of thromboprophylactic therapy. The presence of hyperinflammatory activities, unique thrombotic locations as well as concurrent pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature aberrations in our PTE cohort implicate immunothrombosis as the principal mechanism of this novel phenomenon. We strongly recommend future researchers to elucidate this important clinical disease among our post- COVID vaccination populations.
METHOD: A group of 19 advisors across different specialties from 11 Asian countries, met on a virtual Steering Committee meeting, to discuss and recommend the most affordable and accessible lung cancer screening modalities and their implementation, for the Asian population.
RESULTS: Significant risk factors identified for lung cancer in smokers in Asia include age 50 to 75 years and smoking history of more than or equal to 20 pack-years. Family history is the most common risk factor for nonsmokers. Low-dose computed tomography screening is recommended once a year for patients with screening-detected abnormality and persistent exposure to risk factors. However, for high-risk heavy smokers and nonsmokers with risk factors, reassessment scans are recommended at an initial interval of 6 to 12 months with subsequent lengthening of reassessment intervals, and it should be stopped in patients more than 80 years of age or are unable or unwilling to undergo curative treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Asian countries face several challenges in implementing low-dose computed tomography screening, such as economic limitations, lack of efforts for early detection, and lack of specific government programs. Various strategies are suggested to overcome these challenges in Asia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This consensus statement was formulated by a panel of five experts of primary care and specialist doctors. A lung cancer screening algorithm was proposed for implementation locally.
RESULTS: In an earlier pilot project collaboration, AI-assisted chest radiography had been incorporated into lung cancer screening in the community. Preliminary experience in the pilot project suggests that the system is easy to use, affordable and scalable. Drawing from experience with the pilot project, a standardised lung cancer screening algorithm using AI in Malaysia was proposed. Requirements for such a screening programme, expected outcomes and limitations of AI-assisted chest radiography were also discussed.
CONCLUSION: The combined strategy of AI-assisted chest radiography and complementary LDCT imaging has great potential in detecting early-stage lung cancer in a timely manner, and irrespective of risk status. The proposed screening algorithm provides a guide for clinicians in Malaysia to participate in screening efforts.