Calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation: a propensity score-matched analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU.

Background: In major trauma patients, hypocalcemia is associated with increased mortality. Despite the absence of strong evidence on causality, early calcium supplementation has been recommended. This study investigates whether calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation provides a survival benefit.

A postmenopausal woman with pelvic inflammatory disease misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor: A case report.

A tubo-ovarian abscess is a potential life-threatening condition. In postmenopausal women, it is rarely seen and it has fewer typical symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. This report concerns a postmenopausal patient who was admitted with general health decline, weight loss and ascites.

Analytical performance and user-friendliness of four commercially available point-of-care devices for C-reactive protein.

Introduction: Proper implementation of Point-of-Care testing (POCT) for C-reactive protein (CRP) in primary care can decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics, thereby tackling the problem of growing antimicrobial resistance.

Objective: The analytical performance and user-friendliness of four POCT-CRP assays were evaluated: QuikRead go easy, LumiraDx, cobas b 101 and Afinion 2.

Materials And Methods: Imprecision was evaluated using plasma pools in addition to manufacturer-specific control material.

Postoperative Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Patients With and Without Preoperative Colonization.

Importance: Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infections (SSIs) and bloodstream infections (BSIs) are important complications of surgical procedures for which prevention remains suboptimal. Contemporary data on the incidence of and etiologic factors for these infections are needed to support the development of improved preventive strategies.

Objectives: To assess the occurrence of postoperative S aureus SSIs and BSIs and quantify its association with patient-related and contextual factors.

subsp. bacteraemia in an immunocompetent male.

Tularemia is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the two predominant subspecies of Francisella tularensis, namely subspecies tularensis and subspecies holarctica. The latter is less virulent than the former, is endemic in Europe, and usually has a mild disease course, although respiratory involvement and bacteraemia can occur. Tularemia in Belgium is rare, but the incidence seems to be increasing.

Fetal brain maceration score on postmortem magnetic resonance imaging vs. conventional autopsy.

Background: Postmortem fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been on the rise since it was proven to be a good alternative to conventional autopsy. Since the fetal brain is sensitive to postmortem changes, extensive tissue fixation is required for macroscopic and microscopic assessment. Estimation of brain maceration on MRI, before autopsy, may optimize histopathological resources.

Two successive cesarean deliveries through separate posterior and anterior hysterotomy due to asymptomatic uterine torsion. A case report.

Uterine torsion during pregnancy is a rare obstetrical complication that can be life-threatening for both mother and child. Although torsion usually presents with acute, non-specific symptoms, it can also occur without any symptoms and pose no immediate health threat. Ultimately, the diagnosis of torsion is often made only during cesarean section.

Pancreas Islet Cell-Specific Antibody Detection by ELISA.

Background: Islet cell-specific autoantibodies are useful to classify diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of commercially available ELISAs to detect autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kDa isoform (GADA), tyrosine phosphatase-related islet antigen 2 (IA-2A), zinc transporter protein 8 (ZnT8A), and insulin (IAA). The performance of ELISA was compared to the performance of RIA.

Evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 positivity ratio and upper respiratory tract viral load among asymptomatic individuals screened before hospitalization or surgery in Flanders, Belgium.

Introduction: The incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the Belgian community is mainly estimated based on test results of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-like symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity ratio and distribution of viral loads within a cohort of asymptomatic patients screened prior hospitalization or surgery, stratified by age category.

Materials/methods: We retrospectively studied data on SARS-CoV-2 real-time RT-PCR detection in respiratory tract samples of asymptomatic patients screened pre-hospitalization or pre-surgery in nine Belgian hospitals located in Flanders over a 12-month period (1 April 2020-31 March 2021).

Expanding Phenotype of - Related Disorders: A Case Series.

Neurologic disorders caused by mutations in the gene were originally reported as three distinct rare clinical syndromes: Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), Rapid-onset Dystonia Parkinsonism (RDP) and Cerebellar ataxia, Areflexia, Pes cavus, Opticus atrophy and Sensorineural hearing loss (CAPOS). In this case series, we describe 3 patients. A mother and her daughter showed an intermediate phenotype different from each other with the same heterozygous missense mutation (p.

ENDOCRINE TUMOURS: Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma: a structured review of 535 adult cases.

Background And Aims: Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas (TSHomas) are a rare entity, occurring in one per million people. We performed a systematic review of 535 adult cases summarizing the clinical, biochemical, hormonal and radiological characteristics of TSHoma. Furthermore, we discussed the current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

BSW light, the first completely virtual surgical congress in Belgium: out of the box.

Background: Due to the SARS-COV2 pandemic-related restrictions the 2020 Belgian Surgical Week (BSW) was organized as a virtual congress, being the first surgical, virtual congress in Belgium. Since this was a new experience and probably not the last, we aim to share our experience to assist other professionals in organizing their virtual events.

Methods: The 'BSW-light' was organized by the RBSS in collaboration with a Professional Congress Organizer (PCO), which is described in detail.

Clinical results of distal anterior tibial tendon decompression.

Background: Distal tibialis anterior tendinopathy (DTAT) is condition which is infrequently described in literature and is usually treated with conservative means. If resistant to a rehabilitation protocol and unloading, a surgical treatment could be proposed. The aim of this research is to report on the history and clinical image of DTAT and present the clinical results of a simple surgical decompression of the tendon with local debridement and release of the distal extensor retinaculum.

Balloon-assisted transcaval embolization of a type II endoleak associated with an aortocaval fistula after endovascular aortic repair.

Endovascular aortic repair is an accepted treatment option for patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Type II endoleak associated with persistent aneurysmal sac growth is considered an adverse event requiring endoleak occlusion. We describe the case of a patient with type II endoleak after endovascular aortic repair for infrarenal aortic aneurysm associated with aortocaval fistula and persistent aneurysm growth.

Validity, Reliability, and Diagnostic Cut-off of the Kinyarwandan Version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in Rwanda.

: In Rwanda, major depressive disorder affects 11.9% of the population and up to 35% of genocide survivors. Mental health services remain underutilized due to stigma and lack of awareness.

SCN3A-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Spectrum of Epilepsy and Brain Malformation.

Objective: Pathogenic variants in SCN3A, encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel subunit Nav1.3, cause severe childhood onset epilepsy and malformation of cortical development. Here, we define the spectrum of clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging features of SCN3A-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

Postoperative ileus after laparoscopic primary and incisional abdominal hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh (DynaMesh®-IPOM versus Parietex™ Composite): a single institution experience.

Purpose: Laparoscopic primary or incisional abdominal hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh placement is a well-accepted and safe technique. Evidence for complications however remains inconclusive, and little is known about the occurrence of postoperative ileus secondary to postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions with different types of IPOM meshes used. Therefore, we retrospectively compared the occurrence of postoperative ileus between two of the different meshes used in our center.

Do Double-fan Surgical Helmet Systems Result in Less Gown-particle Contamination Than Single-fan Designs?

Background: Surgical helmet systems commonly are stand-alone systems with a single fan blowing air into the suit, creating positive pressure that blows particles out through areas of low resistance, possibly contaminating surgical attire and the surgical field. Two-fan systems were developed more recently to release spent air, also theoretically lowering pressure in the suit and decreasing the aforementioned risk of particle contamination. To our knowledge no study to date has measured the potential differences in gown particle contamination to support this hypothesis.

Bone mineral density in adolescent elite ballet dancers.

Background: Data documenting BMD in pre-professional adolescent ballet dancers is limited. This cross-sectional study assesses bone mineral density (BMD) in young adolescent elite ballet dancers and compares BMD values between males and females (with and without normal menarche) and body composition between dancers with and without low Z-score.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of third year ballet students (female=23; male=15; mean age 14.

An ambispective cohort study on treatment outcomes of patients with epilepsy in a tertiary epilepsy center in Rwanda and recommendations for improved epilepsy care.

Objective: Because outcome data inform and drive healthcare decisions and improvement of patient care, this study aimed to gain a deep understanding of sociodemographic profiles and treatment outcomes of newly presenting and recently diagnosed persons living with epilepsy (PwE) at a tertiary epilepsy center in Rwanda.

Methods: In June 2016 (T1), as a first stage of this single-center cohort study, an ambispective chart review was conducted on baseline sociodemographic and disease characteristics of PwE using a structured questionnaire. Missing data were obtained by phone interview.

EVOLUTION Study: 12-month results.

Background: The EVOLUTION Study is a prospective, non-randomized study, investigating the iVolution stent (iVascular, Barcelona, Spain). The study was conducted at the vascular departments of four hospitals in Belgium. This manuscript reports the findings up to 12-month follow-up time for the total cohort.

Comparison of the Idylla™ Respiratory (IFV-RSV) panel with the GeneXpert Xpert® Flu/RSV assay: a retrospective study with nasopharyngeal and midturbinate samples.

The objective of this study was to compare the performance of the Idylla™ Respiratory (IFV-RSV) panel to the GeneXpert Xpert® Flu/RSV assay and establish the performance of a midturbinate swab compared to nasopharyngeal sampling. Considering GeneXpert® assay as imperfect reference standard, a positive percentage agreement between both assays of 98-100% for influenza A and 96-99% for influenza B could be calculated when 354 nasopharyngeal and 325 midturbinate swabs were retrospectively analyzed. Comparing midturbinate samples to nasopharyngeal specimens of 321 subjects, positive percentage agreement varied from 42% to 94% depending on both target virus and assay used.

Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections: Towards a BILULU consensus guideline.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common throughout life and account for the majority of the workload in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Clear instructions for the interpretation of urine cultures by the laboratory technicians are indispensable to obtain standardized, reliable, and clinically useful results. In literature, there is often a lack of evidence-based practice in processing urinary samples in the laboratory.

Stellarex drug-coated balloon for treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease-The ILLUMENATE Global Study: 12-Month results from a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and performance of Stellarex Drug-coated balloon (DCB).

Background: DCB coatings differ in excipients, paclitaxel dose, and coating morphologies. Due to these differences, a class effect with DCBs has not been demonstrated.