This study confirms previous findings in much smaller groups of normal controls for quantitative ultrasound of the diaphragm and provides data that can be applied widely to the general population.

Objectives: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of B-mode ultrasound in the diagnosis of neuromuscular diaphragmatic dysfunction, including phrenic neuropathy.Methods: A prospective study of patients with dyspnea referred to the EMG laboratory over a 2-year time frame for evaluation of neuromuscular respiratory failure who were recruited consecutively and examined with ultrasound for possible diaphragm dysfunction. Sonographic outcome measures were absolute thickness of the diaphragm and degree of increased thickness with maximal inspiration. The comparison standard for diagnosis of diaphragm dysfunction was the final clinical diagnosis of clinicians blinded to the diaphragm ultrasound results, but taking into account other diagnostic workup, including chest radiographs, fluoroscopy, phrenic nerve conduction studies, diaphragm EMG, and/or pulmonary function tests.Results: Of 82 patients recruited over a 2-year period, 66 were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients were excluded because of inconclusive or insufficient reference testing. One hemidiaphragm could not be adequately visualized; therefore, hemidiaphragm assessment was conducted in a total of 131 hemidiaphragms in 66 patients. Of the 82 abnormal hemidiaphragms, 76 had abnormal sonographic findings (atrophy or decreased contractility). Of the 49 normal hemidiaphragms, none had a false-positive ultrasound. Diaphragmatic ultrasound was 93% sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of neuromuscular diaphragmatic dysfunction.Conclusion: B-mode ultrasound imaging of the diaphragm is a highly sensitive and specific tool for diagnosis of neuromuscular diaphragm dysfunction. Classification of evidence:This study provides Class II evidence that diaphragmatic ultrasound performed by well-trained individuals accurately identifies patients with neuromuscular diaphragmatic respiratory failure (sensitivity 93%; specificity 100%). Neurology ® 2014;83:1264-1270 GLOSSARY CMAP 5 compound muscle action potential; NCS 5 nerve conduction study; T MAX 5 thickness at maximal inspiration; T MAX /T MIN 5 diaphragm thickening ratio; T MIN 5 thickness at resting end-expiration.Diaphragm dysfunction can be difficult to diagnose, particularly when diaphragm paralysis is bilateral. The usual workup of patients presenting with unexplained dyspnea may include chest radiographs, fluoroscopy, phrenic nerve conduction studies (NCS), needle EMG of the diaphragm, pulmonary function testing, and transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements; all of these diagnostic tests can produce false-positive and false-negative findings, and some tests are invasive or uncomfortable for the patient.

Background Ulcer perforation carries up to a 30% 1-year mortality rate. Intervention-related adverse events are among statistically significant predictors of 1-year mortality. A Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgical (NOTES) approach may be less invasive and may decrease procedure-related adverse events by diminishing the "second hit", thus leading to decreased morbidity and mortality. Aim To assess the feasibility of an endoscopic transluminal omental plug technique in patients with perforated gastroduodenal ulcers under laparoscopic guidance. Methods Patients with suspected acute gastroduodenal ulcer perforations were offered participation in this prospective pilot study. Closure of the perforation was attempted using NOTES omental plug technique. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic and radiographic data were abstracted, as well as morbidity, mortality and pilot data regarding quality of life (QOL). Results From February 2010 through Feb 2012, 17 patients presented to a tertiary care center with clinically suspected perforated ulcer. Of seven patients (mean age 79, range 64–89) who consented to the study, three underwent the study procedure. All patients had multiple comorbidities. Two patients presented with 4–6 mm perforated peptic ulcers and underwent successful laparoscopic-assisted NOTES omental and falciform ligament patch closure, respectively. Postoperative radiographic contrast studies showed no leak and patients were discharged home on postoperative days 3 and 4. The third patient had undergone enterocutaneous fistula repair with herniorrhaphy 6 weeks prior; a transluminal endoscopic approach was feasible; however, the omentum was under too much tension to be secured. This procedure was converted to an open omental patch repair. For all but one consented patient, obtaining QOL data was feasible. Conclusion Initial results from a laparoscopic-assisted NOTES approach for closure of perforated peptic ulcers appear promising and enable swift recovery in selected patients. This is especially important in the elderly and/or immunocompromised patients. Technical details and patient selection criteria continue to evolve.

Background Traditional metrics of postoperative outcomes (morbidity and mortality) are not useful to compare minimally invasive procedures with each other. Patient reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL) scores, offer an alternative approach. Compared with a large body of data in cancer treatment, the responsiveness of these instruments for minimally invasive surgery is not well described. To better define expected differences, we analyzed the reported QOL outcomes in randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing single and four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods Searching Medline, Embase, Psychinfo, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library (1946 to Jan 2012), two independent reviewers identified RCTs comparing single with four-port cholecystectomy in adult patients using perioperative QOL assessments. The quality of the studies was assessed regarding trial design and QOL reporting. Rev-Man was used for mathematical analysis of the pooled outcome data using a random-effects model. Standardized mean difference estimation was utilized when pooling studies reporting different QOL tools. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using χ2 and I2. Results Of 743 citations, 37 RCTs were identified. Five studies with a total of 502 patients compared single with four-port cholecystectomy on QOL and were included. Pooled analysis was performed using preoperative and 1-month postoperative outcomes. At 1 month postoperatively, the reported effect size of perioperative QOL changes was up to 5 points (~1/2 SD) on the global SF 12 score. The largest difference in change of perioperative physical functioning was 9.9 points (~1 SD). No difference between the treatments was demonstrated. Conclusions Reporting of QOL may improve the comparison of minimally invasive surgical procedures. This systematic review reports clinically important changes and did not demonstrate a difference between treatments at 1 month postoperatively. The optimal timing and trial design for QOL tools in this setting needs to be defined further.