Application of Critical Care Scores in Severely Burned Patients

Early detection of sepsis is of crucial importance in patients with severe burn injuries. However, according to the S1-guideline, based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, the early diagnosis of sepsis in severely burned patients is difficult. The value of the new definition of sepsis based on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) according to S3-guidelines for patients with severe burn injuries is not described in detail in the literature. We analyzed retrospectively all data during the period 2014 to 2018 from the electronic patient information system. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve was calculated for the diagnostic value of procalcitonin, SIRS, and SOFA score according to the burned total body surface area. Six hundred fifty-one patients with burn injuries were admitted to our burn unit, 315 of them had burn injuries affecting more than 10% body surface area with partial- to full-thickness burns (grade 2–4). In this group, 59 patients showed one or more septic events in the course of the intensive care treatment, defined by positive bloodstream infection. Both S1- and S3-guidelines were inappropriate to diagnose sepsis in patients with severe burn injuries. Due to pathophysiological changes of the body function in severely burned patients, which show features of both SIRS and pathological SOFA scores (>2 points) at the outset of burn injury, the diagnosis of sepsis associated with burns is intricate in this patient group. Assessing data for potential hallmarks of sepsis in burn patients we found procalcitonin to show a significant correlation with sepsis.

Impact of guideline changes on adoption of hypofractionation and breast cancer patient characteristics in the randomized controlled HYPOSIB trial

Purpose Hypofractionated radiotherapy is the standard of care for adjuvant whole breast radiotherapy (RT). However, adoption has been slow. The indication for regional nodal irradiation has been expanded to include patients with 0–3 involved lymph nodes. We investigated the impact of the publication of the updated German S3 guidelines in 2017 on adoption of hypofractionation and enrollment of patients with lymph node involvement within a randomized controlled phase III trial. Methods In the experimental arm of the HYPOSIB trial (NCT02474641), hypofractionated RT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) was used. In the standard arm, RT could be given as hypofractionated RT with sequential boost (HFseq), normofractionated RT with sequential boost (NFseq), or normofractionated RT with SIB (NFSIB). The cutoff date for the updated German S3 guidelines was December 17, 2017. Temporal trends were analyzed by generalized linear regression models. Multiple logistic regression models were used to investigate the influence of time (prior to/after guideline) and setting (university hospital/other institutions) on the fractionation patterns. Results Enrollment of patients with involved lymph nodes was low throughout the trial. Adoption of HFseq increased over time and when using the guideline publication date as cutoff. Results of the multiple logistic regressions showed an interaction between time and setting. Furthermore, the use of HFseq was significantly more common in university hospitals. Conclusion The use of HFseq in the standard arm increased over the course of the HYPOSIB trial and after publication of the S3 guideline update. This was primarily driven by patients treated in university hospitals. Enrolment of patients with lymph node involvement was low throughout the trial.

Updated S3 Guidelines – Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Carcinoma: Relevance for Radiological Diagnosis and Intervention

The updated German S3 guidelines “Colorectal Carcinoma“ were created as part of the oncology program of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF), German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Aid under the auspices of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Disorders (DGVS) and they replace the previous guidelines from 2013. The main changes in the updated guidelines include the latest recommendations regarding endoscopy and adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapies as well as a complete restructuring of the section regarding therapeutic approach in metastases and in the palliative situation. The present manuscript discusses the importance of the current recommendations for radiological diagnosis and treatment and is intended to enhance the quality of patient information and patient care by widespread distribution. Key Points: Citation Format