Loss of body height due to severe thoracic curvature does impact pulmonary testing results in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

A standing body height is a variable used to calculate pulmonary parameters during spirometry examination. In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, the loss of the body height is observed, and it may potentially influence the results of pulmonary testing. The study aimed to analyze pulmonary parameters in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis in relation to the measured versus the corrected body height. Preoperative pulmonary testing and radiographic evaluation were performed in 39 children (29 females, 10 males) aged 12–17 years. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured. The single best effort was analyzed. Thoracic Cobb angle ranged 50°–104°. Corrected body height was calculated according to the Stokes’ formula. The subgroup analysis was performed for the subjects with curves 50°–74° (N=26) versus 75°–104° curves (N=13). Mean measured body height was 166.1±9.0 cm versus 168.9±8.9 cm mean corrected body height. The %FVC obtained for the measured height was significantly higher than obtained for the corrected height: 84.6% ±15.6 vs. 81.6% ±15.6, p<0.001. The %FEV1 obtained for the measured height was significantly higher than obtained for the corrected height: 79.8% ±16.3 vs. 77.35% ±15.9, p<0.001. The subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in %FVC and %FEV1 calculated for the measured versus the corrected body height, p<0.001. Corrected body height significantly influences the results of pulmonary parameters measurement. In consequence, it may influence the analysis of the pulmonary status of children with idiopathic scoliosis.

ASSESSMENT OF PULMONARY STATUS FOLLOWING INTERMAXILLARY FIXATION- A CLINICAL STUDY

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of intermaxillary xation on pulmonary function. Methods:133 patients comprising 107 males and 26 females with age ranging from 18 to 50 were taken up for study. The patients' Pulmonary Function Tests were done using spirometer to measure the necessary parameters before and after the application of intermaxillary xation. The values obtained were also compared with 50 healthy volunteers. Results: The results showed that there is a signicant decrease in values of Pulmonary Function Test after the application of intermaxillary xation. Conclusion: Pulmonary status evaluation becomes necessary on account of the obstructive nature of intermaxillary xation. This simple and routinely used procedure should be avoided in respiratory compromised patients with Pulmonary Function Test values lower than the predicted value.

H type tracheo-oesophageal fistula: 2 cases with review of literature

Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) with oesophageal atresia is a common life threatening congenital malformation. H type TEF is a rare subtype (1.8 to 4.2% of all TEF) with the least association with congenital anomalies. We report two cases of H type TEF, first patient was a 2 month old girl who presented with the classical triad of symptoms, and the second patient was a 2 year old girl who presented with recurrent attacks of pneumonia, choking on feeding and noisy breathing. After radiological confirmation, optimization of pulmonary status and nutritional improvement, both underwent right cervicotomy with disconnection of the H fistula. Both patients are doing well on regular follow up. Detection of H fistula is difficult as compared to TEF since the clinical symptoms are variable, radiological detection difficult and diagnosis is based on a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present these two cases to document the history, presentation, clinical management and surgical procedure done in these patients.

Safety and effectiveness of surgical fixation versus non-surgical methods for the treatment of flail chest in adult populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose The objective of this systematic review is to compare the safety and efficacy of surgical fixation of rib fractures against non-surgical interventions for the treatment of flail chest in the adult population. Methods A search was performed on the 22nd of July 2020 to identify articles comparing surgical fixation versus clinical management for flail chest in adults, with a description of the outcome parameters (resource utility, mortality, adverse effects of the intervention and adverse progression in pulmonary status). Relevant randomised controlled trials were selected, their risk of bias assessed, and the data then extracted and analysed. Results 157 patients were included from four studies in the analyses, with 79 and 78 patients in the surgical and non-surgical groups, respectively. The pooled effects of all outcomes tended towards favouring surgical intervention. Surgical intervention was associated with lower rates of pneumonia (I2 = 46%, Tau2 = 0.16, p = 0.16), significantly lower rates of tracheostomy (I2 = 76%, Tau2 = 0.67, p = 0.02), and a significantly lower duration of mechanical ventilation (I2 = 88%, Tau2 = 33.7, p < 0.01) in comparison to the non-surgical management methods. Conclusion Our results suggest that surgical intervention reduces the need for tracheostomy, reduces the time spent in the intensive care unit following a traumatic flail chest injury and could reduce the risk of acquiring pneumonia after such an event. There is a need for further well-designed studies with sufficient sample sizes to confirm the results of this study and also detect other possible effects of surgical intervention in the treatment of traumatic flail chest in adults.

1364. Pretreatment Chest X-ray Stability Duration and Tuberculosis Disease in San Diego County, 2012–2017

Background Repeated chest X-rays serve as an essential screening tool to identify and describe new or stable (i.e., unchanged) lung abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease. The time for which a patient’s chest X-ray has not demonstrated appreciable change prior to treatment, or pretreatment chest X-ray stability duration, has been considered clinically useful in distinguishing inactive from active disease at four or 6 months. This relationship, however, has not been previously quantified. Methods This study relied on retrospective medical record review to assess the relationship of documented pretreatment chest X-ray stability duration thresholds relative to four and 6 months with a future clinical or culture-confirmed (Class 3) diagnosis of pulmonary TB disease. Multivariable logistic regression quantified this association among 146 patients who were evaluated and started on treatment for pulmonary TB disease in the San Diego County tuberculosis clinic between May 2012 and March 2017. Results After adjusting for age and Class B1 TB, Pulmonary status, a CXR stability duration of 4 months or more was not significantly associated with a Class 3 pulmonary TB diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.830; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.198–3.48). Results were similar for the 6-month cut-point after adjusting for age and Class B1 Pulmonary status (AOR, 0.970; 95% CI, 0.304–3.10). Compared with less than 4 months, CXR stability durations of four to 6 months (AOR, 0.778; 95% CI, 0.156–3.89) and greater than 6 months (AOR, 0.875; 95% CI, 0.187–4.10) were also not significantly associated with a Class 3 TB diagnosis after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Repeated chest X-rays remain a valuable tool for clinicians identifying and describing new or unchanged lung abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary TB disease. This study found no statistically significant association between pretreatment chest X-ray stability duration and subsequent TB disease diagnosis, with a wide range of estimates compatible with the data, suggesting the stability duration cut points relative to four and 6 months may not be as informative as previously understood. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Microbiology Characteristics Among Cystic Fibrosis Patients in Western Romania

Background: Pulmonary infectious inflammation is a major cause of decline in lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) marked by exacerbations, consequently, slowing evolution of lung disease is a primary aim in CF management. The objective of the study was to analyze the microbiological spectrum from epidemiological point of view in our patients. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional transversal study including fifty-seven patients evaluated the prevalence of CF-related microbes in the study group and their pulmonary status. Results: The most frequent microorganism found in our group, regardless age, was Staphyloccocus aureus, closely followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacillus tuberculosis was a rare germ, despite the important frequency in our country. The microbes frequency was different with age groups, thus 3.5% of 1-3 years old children had the methicillin sen sitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain, while for the 6-12 years group, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in an equal percentage of 14% with MSSA. Pseudomonas prevalence was found in 14.0% of adults and the combined infections were diagnosed in about a fifth of our patients. Conclusions: We concluded that the percentage of respiratory infections with redoubtable microbes is relatively moderate. The presence of underweight among CF patients with severe mutations are risk factor for a worse outcome and measures should be instituted.