North Bristol NHS Trust

About: North Bristol NHS Trust is a healthcare organization based out in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2204 authors who have published 2811 publications receiving 61110 citations.

The development and evaluation of a picture tongue assessment tool for tongue-tie in breastfed babies (TABBY).

Abstract: The presence of a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) in an infant may lead to breastfeeding difficulties, but debate continues about which babies should be treated with frenotomy. The Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool (BTAT), a clear and simple evaluation of the severity of tongue-tie, is being used worldwide and translated into different languages. We aimed to produce a simple picture version of the BTAT to aid and enhance consistent assessment of infants with tongue-tie. The Tongue-tie and Breastfed Babies (TABBY) assessment tool was developed from the BTAT by a graphic designer, with iterative discussion with four practicing NHS midwives. The TABBY tool consists of 12 images demonstrating appearance of the infant tongue, its attachment to the gum and the limits of tongue mobility. The TABBY tool is scored from 0 to a maximum of 8. Two initial audits of the TABBY were undertaken at a large maternity unit in a secondary care NHS Trust, in Bristol UK from 2017 to 2019. TABBY was evaluated by five midwives on 262 babies with tongue-ties and experiencing breastfeeding difficulties who were referred for assessment to a tongue-tie assessment clinic using both BTAT and TABBY. Each pair of scores was recorded by one midwife at a time. A further training audit with 37 babies involved different assessors using BTAT and TABBY on each baby. All midwives found the TABBY easy to use, and both audits showed 97.7% agreement between the scores. We suggest that a score of 8 indicates normal tongue function; 6 or 7 is considered as borderline and 5 or below suggests an impairment of tongue function. Selection of infants for frenotomy required an additional breastfeeding assessment, but all infants with a score of 4 or less in the audits had a frenotomy, following parental consent. The TABBY Assessment Tool is a simple addition to the assessment of tongue-tie in infants and can provide an objective score of tongue-tie severity. Together with a structured breastfeeding assessment it can inform selection of infants for frenotomy. It can be used by clinical staff following a short training and will facilitate translation into other languages.

Surgical management of tibial tubercle fractures in association with tibial plateau fractures fixed by direct wiring to a locking plate.

Abstract: Tibial tubercle fractures disrupting the extensor mechanism of the knee can occur in association with complex tibial plateau fractures (AO type 41A, B, C). The management of these fractures can be difficult; a stable repair of the tibial tubercle fragment is essential if the extensor mechanism is to be reconstituted. There are few reported techniques described to manage tibial tubercle fractures in conjunction with complex proximal tibial injuries. Traditionally, tibial tubercle fractures have been repaired by lagging the tubercle fragment to the posterior cortex of the tibia using 1 or more screws. However, the cortex of the posterior tibia does not always offer good purchase for screw fixation, particularly in osteopenic bone. Additionally, in complex proximal tibial fractures, comminution often extends posteriorly, further complicating stable lag screw fixation. Placement of an anteroposterior lag screw can also be complicated by "screw traffic" if there are a large number of screws fixing the primary fracture. In this article, we report a novel surgical approach for the management of tibial tubercle fracture fragments occurring in association with complex proximal tibial fractures. Using this technique, the tibial tubercle fragment is stabilized by wiring it directly to the screws of a locking plate. It allows for reduction and fixation of the tibial tubercle fragment that is stable enough to allow immediate full active range of motion. Over the past 5 years, we have applied this technique in 16 patients. Our preliminary results using this new technique have demonstrated a high rate of clinical and radiographic union with near normal return of extensor mechanism function.

Understanding cardiac troponin part 1: avoiding troponinitis

Abstract: Cardiac troponin (cTn) is a highly specific biomarker of myocardial injury and is central to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). By itself, however, cTn cannot identify the cause of myocardial injury. 'Troponinitis' is the condition that leads clinicians to falsely assign a diagnosis of AMI based only on the fact that a patient has an elevated cTn concentration. There are many causes of myocardial injury other than AMI. Clinicians are required to differentiate myocardial injury caused by AMI from other causes.In part 1 of this series on cTn, we provide a structured overview to help practising clinicians to interpret 'positive' cTn results appropriately. There are three core principles. First, when reviewing a cTn result, clinicians must carefully consider the clinical context. Only this can distinguish primary (termed type 1) AMI caused by coronary artery disease from secondary (termed type 2) AMI caused by another condition with an imbalance in the supply and demand of oxygen to the myocardium. Second, clinicians must consider the patient's baseline condition in order to determine the presence or absence of factors that may predict a chronic cTn elevation. Third, clinicians should routinely use serial sampling to detect a change of cTn that is expected in patients with acute (rather than chronic) myocardial injury. Using these simple principles, clinicians can avoid underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of AMI.

Tandem mass spectrometry: the tool of choice for diagnosing inborn errors of metabolism?

Abstract: The early diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) by laboratory-based mass screening is a prime example of preventive medicine. However, several factors restrict the range of IEM that can be screened for, and the numbers of people to whom it can be made available. Mass screening in the United Kingdom is limited primarily to that for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. Ideally, extension of mass screening of neonates for additional clinically significant IEM is a desirable strategy. Tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) is a powerful and effective diagnostic technique and has been proposed as a means to realise this aim. Its main advantages are improved accuracy, sensitivity and specificity over existing methods, and its suitability for cost-effective multidisease IEM mass screening. The evolution, principles and applications of TMS are described, and the practical and clinical implications of extending diagnostic services for IEM using TMS are discussed.

Second-trimester Down's syndrome serum screening: double, triple or quadruple marker testing?

Abstract: Background The recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) are based on the findings of the Serum, Urine and Ultrasound Screening Study (SURUSS). Our study sought to establish if the SURUSS findings, in terms of detection rates (DR) and false-positive rates (FPR) for various second-trimester marker combinations, could be replicated in a local setting. Methods We investigated the effects of adding inhibin-A and unconjugated oestriol to our existing double test protocol. This retrospective study examined 1000 control pregnancies and 128 affected pregnancies. Results The inhibin-A method was associated with considerable assay drift and very marked within-batch imprecision (intrabatch percent coefficient of variation [CV] = 17%). At a cut-off of 1 in 250, the quadruple test showed a DR of 72%, the triple test 70% and the double test 63%. There were no significant differences between the FPRs for any of the combinations, which were all between 6.6% and 7.0% for a 1 in 250 cut-off. Conclusions In our view, the current inhibin-A assay is unacceptable as a screening marker due to poor assay performance. We have reviewed the NSC benchmark programme outcomes, and would suggest that the 2005 target of a DR of at least 60% with an FPR of less than 5% is achievable using triple testing in the second trimester in conjunction with universal scan dating. Our results suggest that the April 2007 target of a DR of 75% with an FPR of less than 3% is unachievable using current second-trimester maternal serum screening.