Delayed diagnosed injuries in trauma patients after initial trauma assessment with a total-body computed tomography scan

INTRODUCTION

Even when using the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines and other diagnostic protocols for the initial assessment of trauma patients, not all injuries will be diagnosed in this early stage of care. The aim of this study was to quantify how many, and assess which type of injuries were diagnosed with delay during the initial assessment of trauma patients including a total-body computed tomography (TBCT) scan in a Level 1 Trauma Center in the Netherlands.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 697 trauma patients who were assessed in the trauma bay of the Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC), using a TBCT. A delayed diagnosed injury was defined as an injury sustained during the initial trauma and not discovered nor suspected upon admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or surgical ward following the initial assessment, diagnostic studies, or during immediate surgery. A clinically significant delayed diagnosis of injury was defined as an injury requiring follow-up or further medical treatment. We aimed to identify variables associated with delayed diagnosed injuries.

RESULTS

In total, 697 trauma patients with a median age of 46 years (IQR 30-61) and a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 (IQR 9-25) were included. Delayed diagnosed injuries were found in 97 patients (13.9 %), of whom 79 injuries were clinically significant (81.4 %). Forty-eight of the delayed diagnosed injuries (49.5 %) were within the TBCT field. Ten delayed diagnosed injuries had an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of ≥3. Most injuries were diagnosed before or during the tertiary survey (60.8 %). The median time of delay was 34.5 h (IQR 17.5-157.3). Variables associated with delayed diagnosed injuries were primary ICU admission (OR 1.8, p = 0.014), an ISS ≥ 16 (OR 1.6, p = 0.042), and prolonged hospitalization (40+ days) (OR 8.5, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

With the inclusion of the TBCT during the primary assessment of trauma patients, delayed diagnosed injuries still occurs in a significant number of patients (13.9 %). Factors associated with delayed diagnosed injuries were direct admission to ICU and an ISS ≥ 16.

Piloting a language translation device for Mandarin-speaking patients presenting for radiotherapy treatment-assessing patient and radiation therapist perspectives

PURPOSE

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) cancer patients report unmet informational and emotional needs when receiving radiotherapy (RT). This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the clinical use of an instant translation device (ITD) to facilitate communication between Mandarin-speaking patients and radiation therapists (RTTs) within the Australian public RT setting. The primary aim was to assess the ability to convey information relating to daily patient care and build rapport using the device.

METHODS

A single-arm prospective interventional trial was employed with patient and RTT participants. Eligible patient participants were aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with cancer, referred for RT with self-reported Mandarin as the primary language spoken at home. Patients who had previously received RT were excluded. Consenting patient participants completed a baseline assessment of health literacy (REALM-SF) and English proficiency (LexTALE). Surveys were administered to patients and consenting RTTs at the cessation of treatment, forming two distinct participant groups. Descriptive statistics were used to compare participant groups.

RESULTS

Eleven patients and 36 RTTs were recruited to the study. Descriptive statistics demonstrated participant group agreement in conveying treatment instructions, though differing experiences were reported against general conversation. Although the reporting of technical difficulties was inconsistent, both groups recommended the application of the ITD within the RT domain.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study demonstrated encouraging accounts of patients and RTTs with regard to ITD use in the context of RT treatment. Expanded, multi-institutional recruitment is required to yield statistical significance, inform the impact of the device, and determine requisite training requirements.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

HREC reference number: LNR/18/PMCC/115 (18/100L). HREC approval date: 10 July 2018.

Validation testing of a language translation device for suitability in assisting Australian radiation therapists to communicate with Mandarin-speaking patients

Introduction

Clear, timely communication between practitioners and patients is key in ensuring equitable access to health services and optimal care. Australia's linguistically diverse population adds complexity to healthcare provision. This paper describes a validation study to assess clinical suitability of a language translation device, intended for use with Mandarin speaking patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).

Materials and methods

After a comprehensive device selection process, common phrases used in RT practice were curated within one clinical center and translated by interpreters. Phrases were categorized by conversation type and readability (according to Flesch-Kincaid and FORCAST scores). Validation of device performance was undertaken by purposely selected radiation therapists (RTTs) who tested and evaluated the device using a survey with 5-point Likert scale responses. Statistical analysis was undertaken on Excel using Pearson's chi-square, z-test, interrater reliability/agreement and linear regression analyses.

Results

Six RTTs and two interpreters volunteered to participate in this study. 188 common phrases were spoken verbatim into the device and scored on a 5-point Likert scale, yielding an overall output accuracy of 66%. A z-test confirmed significance against prior comparative research and Linear regression analysis observed improved output between consecutive participants. 62.7% of interpreter scores were identical; a further 29.1% constituted a single point scoring variation. Poorer outcomes were observed with colloquial English and lower readability.

Conclusions

This study found the device produced suitable translation accuracy and identified language styles that should be avoided with use. Further research could consider clinical application, expanded languages and/or health disciplines, and development of a national RTT phrase list.

Patterns of the use of advanced radiation therapy techniques for the management of bone metastases and the associated factors in Victoria

INTRODUCTION

To describe the pattern of the use of advanced radiation therapy (RT) techniques, including intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic body RT (SBRT) for the management of bone metastases (BM), and the associated factors in Victoria.

METHODS

We used a population-based cohort of patients from the state-wide Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data Set (VRMDS) who received RT for BM between 2012 and 2017. The primary outcome was proportion of RT courses using advanced RT techniques. The Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate temporal trend in advanced RT use. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with advanced RT use.

RESULTS

A total of 18,158 courses of RT were delivered to 10,956 patients-16,626 (91.6%) courses were 3D conformal RT, 857 (4.7%) IMRT/VMAT and 675 (3.7%) SBRT. There was a sharp increase in IMRT/VMAT use from <1% in 2012-2015, to 10.1% in 2016 and 16.3% in 2017 (P-trend < 0.001). Increase in SBRT use was more gradual, from 1.2% in 2012 to 4.8% in 2016 and 5.5% in 2017 for SBRT (P-trend<0.001). In multivariate analyses, year of RT was the strongest predictor of IMRT/VMAT use (OR = 41; 95%CI = 25-67; P < 0.001, comparing 2012-2013 and 2016-2017). Primary tumour type (prostate cancer) was the strongest predictor of SBRT use (OR = 6.07; 95% CI = 4.19-8.80; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overall, there was increasing trend in the use of advanced RT techniques for BM in Victoria, with a distinct pattern for IMRT/VMAT compared with SBRT - SBRT uptake was more gradual while IMRT/VMAT uptake was abrupt, occurring contemporaneously with Medicare Benefit Scheme funding changes in 2016.

Melanoma brain metastases that progress on BRAF-MEK inhibitors demonstrate resistance to ipilimumab-nivolumab that is associated with the Innate PD-1 Resistance Signature (IPRES)

Background

Melanoma brain metastases (MBMs) are a challenging clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality. Although first-line dabrafenib–trametinib and ipilimumab–nivolumab have similar intracranial response rates (50%–55%), central nervous system (CNS) resistance to BRAF-MEK inhibitors (BRAF-MEKi) usually occurs around 6 months, and durable responses are only seen with combination immunotherapy. We sought to investigate the utility of ipilimumab–nivolumab after MBM progression on BRAF-MEKi and identify mechanisms of resistance.

Methods

Patients who received first-line ipilimumab–nivolumab for MBMs or second/third line ipilimumab–nivolumab for intracranial metastases with BRAF^V600 mutations with prior progression on BRAF-MEKi and MRI brain staging from March 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018 were included. Modified intracranial RECIST was used to assess response. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of BRAF^V600 mutant MBMs that were naïve to systemic treatment (n=18) or excised after progression on BRAF-MEKi (n=14) underwent whole transcriptome sequencing. Comparative analyses of MBMs naïve to systemic treatment versus BRAF-MEKi progression were performed.

Results

Twenty-five and 30 patients who received first and second/third line ipilimumab–nivolumab, were included respectively. Median sum of MBM diameters was 13 and 20.5 mm for the first and second/third line ipilimumab–nivolumab groups, respectively. Intracranial response rate was 75.0% (12/16), and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 41.6 months for first-line ipilimumab–nivolumab. Efficacy of second/third line ipilimumab-nivolumab after BRAF-MEKi progression was poor with an intracranial response rate of 4.8% (1/21) and median PFS of 1.3 months. Given the poor activity of ipilimumab–nivolumab after BRAF-MEKi MBM progression, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing to identify mechanisms of drug resistance. We identified a set of 178 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between naïve and MBMs with progression on BRAF-MEKi treatment (p value <0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) <0.1). No distinct pathways were identified from gene set enrichment analyses using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene Ontogeny or Hallmark libraries; however, enrichment of DEG from the Innate Anti-PD1 Resistance Signature (IPRES) was identified (p value=0.007, FDR=0.03).

Conclusions

Second-line ipilimumab–nivolumab for MBMs after BRAF-MEKi progression has poor activity. MBMs that are resistant to BRAF-MEKi that also conferred resistance to second-line ipilimumab–nivolumab showed enrichment of the IPRES gene signature.

Long-term Survival with 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-directed Therapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Synchronous Solitary Brain Metastasis

AIMS

At diagnosis, <1% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have synchronous solitary brain metastasis (SSBM). In prior cohorts without 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) staging, definitive treatment to intracranial and intrathoracic disease showed a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 11-21%. We investigated the long-term survival outcomes for patients with SSBM NSCLC, diagnosed in the FDG-PET/CT era and treated definitively with local therapies to both intracranial and intrathoracic sites of disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study assessed patients staged with FDG-PET/CT who received definitive lung and SSBM treatment from February 1999 to December 2017. A lung-molecular graded prognostic assessment (lung-molGPA) score was assigned for each patient using age, performance status score, and, where carried out, molecular status. Overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional hazard models determined OS and PFS prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients newly diagnosed with NSCLC and SSBM had a median age of 63 years (range 34-76). The median follow-up of all patients was 3.9 years. Thirty-three patients (67%) had ≥T2 disease, 23 (47%) had ≥N2. At 2 years, 45% of first failures were intracranial only (95% confidence interval 30-59). At 3 and 5 years, OS was 45% (95% confidence interval 32-63) and 30% (95% confidence interval 18-51), respectively. In ≥N1 disease, 5-year OS was 34% (95% confidence interval 18-63). The 3- and 5-year PFS was 8% (95% confidence interval 3-22) and 0%, respectively. Higher lung-molGPA was associated with longer OS (hazard ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.61, P = 0.002). Higher lung-molGPA (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.71, P = 0.005) and lower N-stage (hazard ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.15, P = 0.007) were associated with longer PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive treatment of patients with NSCLC and SSBM staged with FDG-PET/CT can result in 5-year survivors, including those with ≥N1 disease.

A phase II, open label, randomized controlled trial of nivolumab plus ipilimumab with stereotactic radiotherapy versus ipilimumab plus nivolumab alone in patients with melanoma brain metastases (ABC-X Trial)

TPS9600

Background: Nivolumab combined with ipilimumab is active in melanoma brain metastases, with intracranial response rates > 55% and durable survival in treatment naïve patients (pts) (Long GV et al Lancet Onc 2018; Tawbi H et al NEJM 2018). We seek to determine if the addition of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS) results in improved intracranial outcomes. Methods: This is a multisite, open-label, phase 2 trial in systemic treatment-naïve pts with melanoma brain metastases. Pts must have ≥1 asymptomatic brain metastases that are ≥5mm and ≤40mm as per modified RECIST 1.1, on gadolinium-enhanced MRI, and no history of previous treatment with SRS. Eligible pts are randomly assigned to either receive nivolumab plus ipilimumab with SRS or nivolumab plus ipilimumab alone. Nivolumab (1mg/kg) and ipilimumab (3mg/kg) are given every 3 weeks for 4 doses. Following induction, 480mg nivolumab is given every 4 weeks until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a maximum of 2 years. SRS is administered as single fraction of 16-22Gy, or hypofractionated for larger lesions (24-27Gy in 3 fractions), within 7 days of immunotherapy commencement. Pts will be evaluated for intracranial and extracranial tumour response, and overall response, every 6 weeks to week 24 and 12 weekly thereafter until overall disease progression or death. The primary endpoint is neurologic specific survival (NSS) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints include intracranial response rate, intracranial PFS, overall PFS, overall progression free survival, overall survival, neurocognitive function and incidence of radiation necrosis. 109 patients in each cohort (218 total) will achieve > 80% power at the significance level (alpha) of 0.10 to detect a minimum absolute increase of 9% in the NSS rate at 12 months. Clinical trial information: NCT03340129.

New Era in the Management of Melanoma Brain Metastases

The remarkable advances in the systemic therapy of metastatic melanoma have now extended the 1-year overall survival rate from 25% to nearing 85%. Systemic treatment in the form of BRAF-targeted therapy and immunotherapy is slowly but surely proving its efficacy in the treatment of metatstatic brain metastases (MBM). Single-agent BRAF inhibitors provide an intracranial response rate of 25% to 40%, whereas the combination of BRAFi/MEKi leads to responses in up to 58%. However, the durability of responses induced by BRAFi/MEKi seems to be even shorter than in extracranial disease. On the other hand, single-agent ipilimumab provides comparable clinical benefit in MBMs as it does in extracranial metastases. Single-agent PD-1 anitbodies induce response rates of approximately 20%, and those responses appear durable. Similarly the combination of CTLA-4+ PD-1 antibodies induces durable responses at an impressive rate of 55% and is safe to administer. Although the local treatment approaches with radiation and surgery remain important and are critically needed in the management of MBM, systemic therapy offers a new dimension that can augment the impact of those therapies and come at a potentially lower cost of neurocognitive impairment. Considerations for combining those modalities are direly needed, in addition to considering novel systemic combinations that target mechanisms specific to MBM. In this report, we will discuss the underlying biology of melanoma brain metastases, the clinical outcomes from recent clinical trials of targeted and immunotherapy, and their impact on clinical practice in the context of existing local therapeutic modalities.

The Development of a Wholly Online Master's Program for Oncology Clinicians

Background: The Master of Cancer Sciences brings together the academic strength of the University of Melbourne (UoM) and world leading content experts from the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), to develop an innovative, interactive, evidence-based flagship educational program in cancer sciences. This program will enhance the capabilities of health professionals, in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research and clinical care. It will be wholly online and nested with qualification points at Specialist Certificate, Graduate Certificate and Masters Level to provide flexible progression and study options for practitioners in the cancer care workforce. Specific modular content from each subject will also be repurposed and repackaged as a series of derivative educational activities such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), workshops and webinars; broadening the reach of the masters programming to all. Aim: The aim of this program is to be the first cancer-specific, multidisciplinary, flexible, and wholly online master's program of its kind offered within Australia, and one of two available worldwide. Graduates will possess an unprecedented breadth of integrated cancer knowledge and skills. This initiative will unify the VCCC alliance partners as they contribute to directly supporting a world-class cancer workforce and provide best practice care to patients. Discussion: This presentation will explore the educational development process involved in developing the ten online subjects, through the engagement of content writing teams to collaborative development and repurposing modules into a series of derivative educational activities. Ultimately the graduate programs and their derivative educational activities will contribute to lifelong learning, ongoing professional development and high quality healthcare for better patient outcomes.

The Memory Metal Spinal System in a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Procedure: A Prospective, Non-Comparative Study to Evaluate the Safety and Performance

Study Design:

A prospective, non-comparative study of 27 patients to evaluate the safety and performance of the Memory Metal Spinal System used in a PLIF procedure in the treatment of spondylolisthesis, symptomatic spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Objective:

To evaluate the clinical performance, radiological outcome and safety of the Memory Metal Spinal System, used in a PLIF procedure, in the treatment of spondylolisthesis, symptomatic spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease in human subjects.

Summary of Background Data:

Spinal systems that are currently available for correction of spinal deformities or degeneration such as lumbar spondylosis or degenerative disc disease, use components manufactured from stainless steel or titanium and typically comprise two spinal rods with associated connection devices. The Memory Metal Spinal System consists of a single square spinal rod made from a nickel titanium alloy (Nitinol) used in conjunction with connection devices. Nitinol is characterized by its shape memory effect and is a more flexible material than either stainless steel or titanium. With current systems there is loss of achieved reposition due to the elastic properties of the spine. By using a memory metal in this new system the expectation was that this loss of reposition would be overcome due to the metal’s inherent shape memory properties. Furthermore, we expect a higher fusion rate because of the elastic properties of the memory metal.

Methods:

Twenty-seven subjects with primary diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, symptomatic spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease (DDD) were treated with the Memory Metal Spinal System in conjunction with the Brantigan IF® Cage in two consecutive years. Clinical performance of the device was evaluated over 2 years using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Safety was studied by collection of adverse events intra-operative and during the followup. Interbody fusion status was assessed using radiographs and a CT scan.

Results:

The mean pre-operative ODI score of 40.9 (±14.52) significantly improved to 17.7 (±16.76) at 24 months postoperative. Significant improvement in the physical component from the SF36 questionnaire was observed with increases from the baseline result of 42.4 to 72.7 at 24 months (p<.0001); The emotional component in the SF36 questionnaires mean scores highlighted a borderline significant increase from 56.5 to 81.7 at 24 months (p=0.0441). The average level of leg pain was reduced by more than 50% postoperation (VAS values reduced from 5.7 (±2.45) to 2.2 (±2.76) at 24 month post-operation with similar results observed for back pain. CT indicated interbody fusion rate was not significantly faster compared to other devices in literature. No device related adverse events were recorded in this study.

Conclusions:

The Memory Metal Spinal System, different from other devices on the market with regard to material and the one rod configuration, is safe and performed very well by improving clinically important outcomes in the treatment of spondylolisthesis, symptomatic spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease. In addition the data compares favorably to that previously reported for other devices in the literature.

The memory metal minimal access cage: a new concept in lumbar interbody fusion-a prospective, noncomparative study to evaluate the safety and performance

Study Design/Objective. A single-centre, prospective, non-comparative study of 25 patients to evaluate the performance and safety of the Memory Metal Minimal Access Cage (MAC) in Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Summary of Background Data. Interbody fusion cages in general are designed to withstand high axial loads and in the meantime to allow ingrowth of new bone for bony fusion. In many cages the contact area with the endplate is rather large leaving a relatively small contact area for the bone graft with the adjacent host bone. MAC is constructed from the memory metal Nitinol and builds on the concept of sufficient axial support in combination with a large contact area of the graft facilitating bony ingrowth and ease in minimal access implantation due to its high deformability. Methods. Twenty five subjects with a primary diagnosis of disabling back and radicular leg pain from a single level degenerative lumbar disc underwent an interbody fusion using MAC and pedicle screws. Clinical performance was evaluated prospectively over 2 years using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. The interbody fusion status was assessed using conventional radiographs and CT scan. Safety of the device was studied by registration of intra- and post-operative adverse effects. Results. Clinical performance improved significantly (P < .0018), CT scan confirmed solid fusion in all 25 patients at two year follow-up. In two patients migration of the cage occurred, which was resolved uneventfully by placing a larger size at the subsequent revision. Conclusions. We conclude that the Memory Metal Minimal Access Cage (MAC) resulted in 100% solid fusions in 2 years and proved to be safe, although two patients required revision surgery in order to achieve solid fusion.

Immobilisation of the knee and ankle and its impact on drivers’ braking times

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of right leg restriction at the knee, ankle or both, on a driver’s braking times. Previous studies have not investigated the effects of knee restriction on braking performance. A total of 23 healthy drivers performed a series of emergency braking tests in a driving simulator in either an above-knee plaster cast, a below-knee cast, or in a knee brace with an increasing range of restriction. The study showed that total braking reaction time was significantly longer when wearing an above-knee plaster cast, a below-knee plaster cast or a knee brace fixed at 0°, compared with braking normally (p < 0.001). Increases in the time taken to move the foot from the accelerator to the brake accounted for some of the increase in the total braking reaction time. Unexpectedly, thinking time also increased with the level of restriction (p < 0.001). The increase in braking time with an above-knee plaster cast in this study would increase the stopping distance at 30 miles per hour by almost 3 m.

These results suggest that all patients wearing any lower-limb plaster cast or knee brace are significantly impaired in their ability to perform an emergency stop. We suggest changes to the legislation to prevent patients from driving with lower-limb plaster casts or knee braces.

Fluoride binding in hemoproteins: the importance of the distal cavity structure

The electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectra of the fluoride complexes of various peroxidases and selected site-directed mutants have been studied at pH 5.0, and compared to the spectra obtained for the myoglobin-F adduct. It is shown that the electronic absorption maxima depend on the degree of conjugation between the porphyrin macrocycle and the vinyl substituents. Moreover, it is confirmed that the wavelength of the CT1 band is a sensitive probe of axial ligand polarity and of its interaction with the distal protein residues. The results highlight the different mechanism of stabilization of the fluoride ligand exerted by the distal residues in myoglobin and peroxidases. In peroxidases, the Arg is determinant in controlling the ligand binding via a strong hydrogen bond between the positively charged guanidinium group and the anion. Mutation of Arg to Leu decreases the stability of the complex by 900-fold, suggesting that this interaction stabilizes the complex by 4 kcal/mol. The distal His also contributes to the stability of the fluoride complex, presumably by accepting a proton from HF and hydrogen-bonding, through a water molecule, to the anion. Mutation of His to Leu decreases the stability of the fluoride complex by 30-fold, suggesting that this interaction is much weaker than the interaction with the distal Arg. For Mb, the distal His is solely responsible for stabilization of the exogenous ligand.