Can clinical scoring systems improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected adult appendicitis and equivocal preoperative computed tomography findings?

Objective: Adult appendicitis (AA) with equivocal computed tomography (CT) findings remains a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Herein we evaluated the diagnostic performance of several clinical scoring systems in adult patients with suspected appendicitis and equivocal CT findings.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 189 adult patients with equivocal CT findings.

Randomized, noninferiority study between video versus hand ultrasound with wet foam dressing materials to simulate B-lines in lung ultrasound: A CONSORT-compliant article.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of a teaching method using simulated B-lines of hand ultrasound with a wet foam dressing material.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, noninferiority study was conducted on emergency medical technician students without any relevant training in ultrasound. Following a lecture including simulated (SG) or real video clips (RG) of B-lines, a posttest was conducted and a retention test was performed after 2 months.

Does the use of bedside ultrasonography reduce emergency department length of stay for patients with renal colic?: a pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding bedside ultrasonography to the diagnostic algorithm for nephrolithiasis on emergency department (ED) length of stay.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study was conducted from October 2014 to December 2014 with patients with acute flank pain. In the non-ultrasonography group (NUSG), non-contrast computed tomography was selected based on clinical features and hematuria in the urinalysis.

Evaluation of a novel simulation method of teaching B-lines: hand ultrasound with a wet foam dressing material.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching A- and B-lines, and lung sliding with a novel simulation methods using hand ultrasound.

Methods: All subjects enrolled were medical school students who were novices in lung ultrasound. All subjects attended a 20-minute lecture about lung ultrasound using simulated video clips of A-lines, B-lines, and lung sliding; and then a 20-minute post-test was administered.

Performance of intubation with 4 different airway devices by unskilled rescuers: manikin study.

Introduction: This study was designed to compare the performances of 4 airway devices in achieving successful ventilation.

Methods: A randomized crossover trial was conducted to evaluate 4 airway devices: laryngeal mask airway (LMA), i-gel (iGEL), PENTAX Airway Scope (AWS), and Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL). Thirty-eight unskilled rescuers performed intubation on a manikin during chest compressions in normal and difficult airway scenarios.

Feasibility of optic nerve sheath diameter measured on initial brain computed tomography as an early neurologic outcome predictor after cardiac arrest.

Objectives: Few parameters are available to predict neurologic outcome of post-cardiac arrest patients in the early stage of treatment. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has been used to indirectly assess intracranial pressure. This study evaluated whether ONSD, an additional parameter in initial brain computed tomography (CT) scans, can be an early predictor of neurologic outcome in post-cardiac arrest patients.

Early hyperoxemia may not increase mortality after cardiac arrest: a pilot study.

Objective: International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines advocate an arterial saturation of 94% to 96% after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). However, a few clinical trials have investigated the impact of postresuscitative O therapy after cardiac arrest. We studied whether early hyperoxemia is associated with a poor post-ROSC outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Performance assessment of the SOFA, APACHE II scoring system, and SAPS II in intensive care unit organophosphate poisoned patients.

This study assessed the ability of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring systems, as well as the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II method to predict group mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who were poisoned with organophosphate. The medical records of 149 organophosphate poisoned patients admitted to the ICU from September 2006 to December 2012 were retrospectively examined. The SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II were calculated based on initial laboratory data in the Emergency Department, and during the first 24 hr of ICU admission.

The most effective rescuer's position for cardiopulmonary resuscitation provided to patients on beds: a randomized, controlled, crossover mannequin study.

Background: The effectiveness of chest compressions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is affected by the rescuer's position with respect to the patient. In hospitals, chest compressions are typically performed while standing beside the patient, who is placed on a bed.

Study Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of chest compressions, performed on a bed during 2 min of CPR, among three different rescuer positions: standing, on a footstool, or kneeling on the bed.

The difference in C-reactive protein value between initial and 24 hours follow-up (D-CRP) data as a predictor of mortality in organophosphate poisoned patients.

Background: Organophosphate poisoning is a worldwide concern and there have been many reports about factors involved in the severity and prognosis of toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum C-reactive protein activity and clinical outcome in acute organophosphate-poisoned patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 2007 to February 2012.

Efficacy of metronome sound guidance via a phone speaker during dispatcher-assisted compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation by an untrained layperson: a randomised controlled simulation study using a manikin.

Aim: Untrained laypersons should perform compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (COCPR) under a dispatcher's guidance, but the quality of the chest compressions may be suboptimal. We hypothesised that providing metronome sounds via a phone speaker may improve the quality of chest compressions during dispatcher-assisted COCPR (DA-COCPR).

Methods: Untrained laypersons were allocated to either the metronome sound-guided group (MG), who performed DA-COCPR with metronome sounds (110 ticks/min), or the control group (CG), who performed conventional DA-COCPR.

Clinical features in adult patients with in-hospital cardiovascular events with confirmed 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection: comparison with those without in-hospital cardiovascular events.

Background: Comprehensive data regarding in-hospital cardiovascular events of adults with confirmed 2009 influenza A (H1N1) (2009 H1N1) infections are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings for adults with 2009 H1N1 infections and to assess the differences in these parameters among adult patients with and without in-hospital cardiovascular events.

Methods: Seventy-one patients were enrolled from the 2009 H1N1 registry database (our hospital registry of confirmed 2009 H1N1 infection during the year 2009) and divided according to the presence of in-hospital cardiovascular events.

Arterial lactate as a predictor of mortality in emergency department patients with paraquat intoxication.

Context: Plasma paraquat concentration is recognized as the best prognostic indicator in patients with acute paraquat poisoning, but it cannot be measured in many hospitals due to limited medical resources. By contrast, arterial lactate is easily obtainable, even in local hospitals.

Objective: To evaluate whether initial arterial lactate concentration is a good predictor of mortality in patients with acute paraquat poisoning.

Comparison of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring system, and Trauma and Injury Severity Score method for predicting the outcomes of intensive care unit trauma patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring system, and Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) method to predict group mortality for intensive care unit (ICU) trauma patients.

Methods: The medical records of 706 consecutive major trauma patients admitted to the ICU of Samsung Changwon Hospital from May 2006 to April 2010 were retrospectively examined. The SOFA and the APACHE II scores were calculated based on data from the first 24 hours of ICU admission, and the TRISS was calculated using initial laboratory data from the emergency department and operative data.