Notes

Single-loop bi-atrial tachycardia together with assumed transferring prevent throughout a good anteroseptal mitral ablation range: An incident report: Bi-AT soon after septal mitral isthmus ablation.
The most common combinations of pregestational diagnoses involved advanced maternal age, prior cesarean delivery, obesity, and tobacco use. Most combinations did not demonstrate an increased risk for complications greater than the risk with a single diagnosis. In those with statistically significant risk, all were 3-fold or less except we noted a 4.4-fold higher risk (95% CI 3.16-6.15) of preeclampsia in obese patients of advanced maternal age compared to patients who were only of advanced maternal age. Conclusion Our results revealed that common combinations of pregestational diagnoses, in general, do not increase the risk for common pregnancy-related complications greater than the risk with a single diagnosis. This is reassuring, given that women entering pregnancy with multiple co-morbidities are becoming more common.Introduction Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), a procedure involving careful dissection of the breast tissue whilst keeping the nipple-areola complex (NAC) intact, is now increasingly practiced amongst surgeons in the treatment of certain situations of breast cancer. Given the importance of breasts to the female body image, this type of conservative breast surgery takes into account patient satisfaction and overall cosmesis, whilst ensuring appropriate oncological safety. Methods and results Four nipple-sparing mastectomy procedures were performed in our tertiary care centre, Princess Basma Teaching Hospital, in Jordan between June and September 2019. Indications for these procedures included invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant phyllodes, and high-grade ductal carcinoma in-situ. Patients were carefully assessed prior to surgical intervention using radiological imaging, ensuring a distance from NAC of >2 cm in all cases. Procedures were performed successfully with minimal intraoperative and no post-operative complications. Follow-up was carried out at 24 months, with no cases of local or distant post-operative recurrence, and patient satisfaction was qualitatively measured with the use of a BREAST-Q questionnaire. The questionnaire demonstrated improved overall physical well-being and satisfaction with an average overall post-operative physical well-being of 97%. Conclusion Following nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate submuscular reconstruction with silicone implants,patients demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) as measured by BREAST-Q survey. Two years of follow-up confirmed high patient satisfaction with increased scores from the preoperative baseline level.Background Knowledge about oral anticoagulant treatment can impact treatment outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, evidence is scarce regarding the knowledge of oral anticoagulants among Saudi patients with atrial fibrillation. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of anticoagulation knowledge among patients with atrial fibrillation taking oral anticoagulants. Methodology A survey using a cross-sectional study design was conducted among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in a tertiary care setting. The Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT), a 33-item, self-administered questionnaire, was used to assess the knowledge of anticoagulation. Results A total of 290 patients with a median age of 67 years participated in the survey. More than half of those surveyed (56.2%) were females. Overall, 195 (67.2%) patients had an overall adequate anticoagulation knowledge. The median knowledge score of participants on warfarin was significantly higher than those on direct-acting oral anticoagulants (p less then 0.001). Only age was found to be a predictor of AKT. Increasing age was associated with fewer odds of adequate AKT. For every one-year increase in age, the knowledge score decreased by 0.08 (95% confidence interval -0.13 to -0.04). Conclusions This study found significant knowledge gaps among Saudi patients with atrial fibrillation taking oral anticoagulants. Advancing age was inversely associated with oral anticoagulation knowledge.Cocaine is a powerfully addictive recreational drug that is extracted from the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca plant native to Central and South America. It is a widely abused substance, despite being banned since the early 19th century due to fatalities. Cocaine may result in acute kidney injury (AKI) by different mechanisms, but acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is scarcely recognized as the cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Here, we present a case of AKI from both AIN and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) following cocaine insufflation. The purpose of this article is to review the rare but significant association of AIN associated with cocaine use. The nature of the treatment of cocaine-related kidney disease may differ from other causes of acute kidney insult. Prompt recognition of the underlying cause of renal dysfunction is vital for this group of patients to prevent the rapid deterioration of renal function.Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science that deals with creating 'intelligent machines'. AI has revolutionized medicine because of its application in several fields across medicine like radiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and gastroenterology. In this review, we intend to summarize the basics of AI, the application of AI in various gastrointestinal pathologies till date as well as challenges/ problems related to the application of AI in medicine. Literature search using keywords like artificial intelligence, gastroenterology, applications, etc. were used. The literature search was done using Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect. All the relevant articles were gathered and relevant data were extracted from them. We concluded AI has achieved major feats in the past few decades. It has helped clinicians in diagnosing complex diseases, managing treatments as well as in predicting outcomes, all in all, which helps doctors from all over the globe in dispensing better healthcare services.Radiotherapy of the head and neck can often lead to complications and side effects, including osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue necrosis. One relatively well-established method of treating osteoradionecrosis includes the PENTOCLO protocol, which consists of Pentoxyllifylline, Tocopherol, and Clodronate. Despite its success in the treatment of osteoradionecrosis, the effectiveness of components of the PENTOCLO protocol in treating soft tissue necrosis of the head and neck is underexplored. This case study reviews the successful treatment of a pyriform sinus ulcer that developed after the use of radiotherapy in treating a T3N2b squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment plan used Pentoxyllifylline and Tocopherol, and omitted Clodronate, and can therefore be referred to as a PENTO protocol.Background Excellent outcomes and high rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) have been reported in patients with operable esophageal carcinoma using 41.4 Gy of radiation with concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel. With pCR rates similar to studies using higher doses, it remains unclear whether doses greater than 41.4 Gy result in improved outcomes. This study aims to compare pCR rates and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation to 50.4 Gy vs 41.4 Gy. Methods We reviewed the charts of patients with operable esophageal carcinoma who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by oncologic resection. Our primary endpoint was the pCR rate. Secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity. Results We identified 43 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Nineteen patients were treated with 41.4 Gy and 24 were treated with 50.4 Gy. Cohorts were well-matched, except for a significantly higher percentage of patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) (89.5% vs 54.2%, p = 0.02), usage of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (100% vs 47.6%; p = 0.002), and usage of carboplatin, plus paclitaxel (100% vs 75%; p = 0.003) in the 41.4 Gy group. The pCR rate for the cohort was 44.2%. No differences in the pCR rate (41.7% vs 47.4%), three-year overall survival (OS) (73.7% vs 77.5%), or three-year PFS (52.8% vs 43.7%) were observed. Late toxicity rates also did not vary significantly (p = 0.2). No grade 4 or 5 events were observed. Conclusion In this small series, there were no differences in the pCR rate, PFS, or OS between those treated with 50.4 Gy and 41.4 Gy. Larger, multi-institutional series are needed to validate these findings.One of the treatment options for recurrent brain metastases is surgical resection combined with intracranial brachytherapy. GammaTile® (GT) (GT Medical Technologies, Tempe, Arizona) is a tile-shaped permanent brachytherapy device with cesium 131 (131Cs) seeds embedded within a collagen carrier. We report a case of treating a patient with recurrent brain metastases with GT and demonstrate a dosimetric modeling method.
In India, the costs of cancer drugs are exorbitant and cause significant financial toxicity to the affected patient and their family members. Considering this, Jan Aushadhi pharmacy stores were established across the country by the government of India with the objective of providing cheap generic medicines to patients. The objective of this study was to perform a cost comparison study of generic chemotherapeutic drugs provided through Jan Aushadhi pharmacies versus their branded counterparts. This will help patients and physicians get first-hand information on the cost variation between generic and branded anticancer drugs in India.

The cost of Jan Aushadhi generic drugs and the cost of the most expensive and cheapest marketed branded drugs for the same molecule and dose were ascertained and presented in both Indian Rupees (INR) and US Dollars (as of July 2021). Finally, the difference in costs in INR, cost ratio, and cost variance were calculated, comparing the price of the Jan Aushadhi generic drugs wit drugs can result in substantial cost savings. The information obtained from this cost difference analysis will be helpful for the healthcare fraternity, patients, policymakers, and society at large.Clinical trials are at the top of research study designs and tend to attract high citation numbers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a multidisciplinary disease that continues to be the subject of peak research interest. In general, the literature relating to the predictors of citation rates in clinical trials remains limited. This review aims to identify the factors that influence citation numbers in high-impact GBM clinical trials. The 100 most cited GBM trials of any phase published from 1975 to 2019 were selected and reviewed. The primary analysis correlated citation numbers of articles with various trial and publication-related predictors using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The secondary analysis compared the mean citation numbers for different subgroups using the mean difference test. The median (range) citation number for the selected 100 trials was 349 (135-16,384). The primary analysis showed a significant correlation between citation numbers of articles and the study population (P = 0.024), tc impact of their work.Orbital foreign bodies must be approached with complex considerations involving their precise location and composition in order to adequately guide management. Physicians must carefully weigh the advantages and risks of surgical and medical intervention compared to conservative management. We present a case of a male patient with penetrating trauma to the eye that resulted in open globe injury and orbital foreign body, presumed metallic, at the posterior orbital apex near the optic nerve. As such, despite the uncertainty of the exact composition of the object, the medical team and patient agreed to conservative management given its high-risk anatomical location.We present a case of inadvertent occlusion of a septal artery from being jailed during percutaneous coronary intervention of left anterior descending artery. This resulted in partial loss of the interventricular septum. Risks of side branch occlusion and bifurcation stenting are discussed.Background With recent advances in different breast cancer treatment modalities, breast conservation surgery (BCS) has gained popularity and has become the mainstay for the treatment of early breast cancer. The model of dedicated breast surgeons working in breast units is standard in some but not all countries. We have aimed to define surgical outcomes of oncoplastic breast surgery carried out by one general surgical oncologist. Patients and methods We have conducted a prospective non-randomised case series analysis to assess the oncologic and aesthetic outcome of tissue displacement oncoplastic breast techniques in managing unifocal early-stage breast cancer from January 2019 to January 2020. One surgical oncologist with 23 years of surgical oncology experience carried out all operations. Results We have included 50 female patients treated with variant oncoplastic volume displacement techniques. We have used the round block technique in 20%, the batwing technique in 18%, lateral mammoplasty in 20%, and media in providing satisfactory oncological outcomes with a low risk of delaying adjuvant therapy and acceptable aesthetic outcomes.Introduction Lymphorrhea or seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is a serious and disabling complication of axillary lymphadenectomy. Octreotide is a hormone with general anti-secretory effects. The potential role of octreotide in the treatment of lymphorrhea after axillary lymph node dissection in patients undergoing MRM is being investigated in this study. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of octreotide on the magnitude and duration of lymphorrhea in patients after MRM for carcinoma breast. Methods This clinical trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI/2017/11/010653). It was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi from September 2015 to March 2017. This study is a parallel randomized controlled trial with a 11 allocation ratio. Thirty patients were enrolled and allocated equally into two groups. The intervention group received standard medical care plus injection of patients in the octreotide group (p = 0.010). The duration of lymphorrhea was 4.93 ± 2.49 days in the control group and 3.13 ± 1.36 days in the octreotide group (p = 0.029). The duration of stay was 7.07 ± 2.40 days in the control group and 5.13 ± 1.06 days in the octreotide and was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.010). No obvious adverse reactions related to injection octreotide, namely, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, hypotension, bradycardia, and dysglycemia, were seen in any of our patients. Conclusion The duration of lymphorrhea, incidence of seroma formation, and duration of hospital stay were lesser in the octreotide group, and the difference was statistically significant. The wound infection rates were similar in both groups. Thus injection octreotide can be used safely and effectively.Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly utilized for most patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. TAVR is linked to enhanced long-term cardiac hemodynamics, reversal of left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy, and improved aortic valve gradients. We present a retrospective observational study assessing cardiac remodeling and valvular flow patterns post-TAVR. Methods Retrospective echocardiographic data were collected, evaluating cardiac function and valvular flow patterns before and after TAVR at a single institution. Data was compiled and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test evaluating variations at approximately 30 days and one-year post-TAVR. Results On echocardiogram 30 days and one-year post-TAVR, there was a reduction in LV mass index from 132 g/m² to 110 g/m² (95%CI 98-122; p=0.01) and 118 g/m² (95%CI 102-133; p=0.03), and a reduction in relative wall thickness from 0.54 to 0.49 (95%CI 0.46-0.52; p=0.05) and 0.44 (95%CI 0.38-0.49; p=0.03), respectively. Doppler velocity indices (DVI) increased from 0.24 to 0.61 (95%CI 0.49-0.73; p less then 0.001) and 0.57 (95%CI 0.48-0.65; p less then 0.001). Expected improvement in aortic valve velocities and gradients were observed post-TAVR. Conclusions Following TAVR, LV remodeling can be observed as early as 30 days. This is demonstrated by a reduction in LV mass index and relative wall thickness in conjugation with an anticipated improvement in valvular flow patterns and flow across the aortic valve.A 54-year-old man on maintenance hemodialysis with recurrent catheter-related bloodstream infections due to Staphylococcus aureus was admitted. Multiple prior transthoracic echocardiograms failed to reveal any vegetation. Subsequently on transesophageal echocardiography a mass consistent with fibrin sheath vegetations was identified and a follow-up diagnostic computed tomography (CT) venogram confirmed the presence of a fibrin sheath with vegetations.The condition autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is an immune disorder, observed among women, primarily due to progesterone surge during menstrual cycle. Here, we present a case of a 29-year-old female with recurrent severe skin eruptions associated with her menstrual cycle that commenced a few years ago. She presented with blistered skin lesion of the body and also blisters in oropharyngeal mucosa leading to a variety of symptoms ranging from pruritus to difficulty in swallowing. Recognition of this process is important as it can result in significant debility among women. Our patient was treated with steroids and antihistamines to provide symptomatic relief and was encouraged to resume her oral contraceptive pill, which is a more definitive therapy.Paget's disease of the breast is rare among breast cancers. Secondary Paget's disease of the breast presenting as local recurrence is even rarer, with limited published information on the overall prevalence. In this report, we present a case of secondary Paget's disease of the breast presenting as a pruritic rash and skin changes with normal imaging. This patient's case was unique as her presentation involved invasive Paget's disease of the breast presenting as a local recurrence, with a diffuse rash covering the entirety of the right breast including the nipple-areolar complex, pathology examination showing dermal invasion, and a 20-year time interval between her initial treatment and presentation at our institution. Furthermore, diagnostic mammogram and breast MRI revealed no underlying suspicious findings within the breast tissue. In this case, the patient benefitted from mastectomy with removal of the affected skin, resulting in a clear margin and clinically favorable outcome. The patient did well postoperatively, did not receive any systemic adjuvant treatment, and is now under surveillance. Currently, there is insufficient data on the incidence of diffuse Paget's disease of the breast with dermal invasion. It is important to recognize this atypical presentation to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of affected patients.Introduction Increased levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may lead to endothelial damage and increase the risk of cardiovascular and renal malfunction. The current study aimed to evaluate the association of serum Hcy levels with gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood pressure (BP). Methodology A prospective observational study was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, Pakistan in the department of endocrinology from June 2020 to June 2021. All patients with diagnosed DMT2 above the age of 18 years were included in the study. Individuals with unconfirmed diagnoses with ages over 75 years were excluded from the study. All data including the patient's age, gender, and medical history were recorded. Height and weight were used to calculate the BMI. BP was examined thrice and a mean value was recorded for each patient. For laboratory investigation, a vial of 3 ml blood was extracted keeping sterile and aseptic conditions by a trained nurse. The sample was sent for the determination of HbA1c and serum Hcy levels. Measurement of serum Hcy was done by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. All data were documented by the researchers on a predefined pro forma. Results A total of 188 patients with DMT2 were included in the study with a mean age ± SD of 54.65 ± 8.42 years. Normal (7%), BP, and duration of DMT2. However, the study failed to find an association between serum Hcy and BMI. It is recommended that patients with poor glycemic control or those with the duration of DMT2 of more than five years must be regularly checked for hyperhomocysteinemia and renal function tests. Large-scale and multi-center studies are required in order to determine the validity of these findings. The current study suggests that patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension are likely to have increased levels of Hcy and, therefore, must be regularly screened for hyperhomocysteinemia.A four-year-old girl presented with a three-day history of squint and irritability. Examination showed reduced visual acuity in both eyes, the presence of a false localizing sign, and bilateral optic disc swelling. On investigation, her blood laboratory workup was within the normal range. Imaging of the brain showed no evidence of a space-occupying lesion or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The lumbar puncture opening pressure was 27cmH20 and the cerebrospinal fluid workup was normal. The diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) was made based on the diagnostic criteria for pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. She was successfully treated with acetazolamide with resolved symptoms and signs. This highlights the possibility of IIH presenting with inconspicuous symptoms in preschool children, which needs a high index suspicion by clinicians. Hence, solving the challenges in the workup, especially in children, is very crucial.Objective The need for clinicians to access Infectious Diseases (ID) consultants for clinical decision-making support increased during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Traditional ID consultations with face-to-face (FTF) patient assessments are not always possible or practical during a pandemic and involve added exposure risk and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Electronic consultations (e-consults) may provide an alternative and improve access to ID specialists during the pandemic. Methods We implemented ID e-consult platforms designed to answer clinical questions related to COVID-19 at three academic clinical institutions in Dallas, Texas. We conducted a retrospective review of all COVID-19 ID e-consults between March 16, 2020 and May 15, 2020 evaluating characteristics and outcomes of e-consults among the clinical sites. Results We completed 198 COVID-19 ID e-consults at participating institutions. The most common e-consult indications were for 63 (32%) repeat testing, 61 (31%) initial testing, 65 (33%) treatment options, and 61 (31%) Infection Prevention (IP). Based on the e-consult recommendation, 53 (27%) of patients were initially tested for COVID-19, 45 (23%) were re-tested, 44 (22%) of patients had PPE precautions initiated, and 37 (19%) had PPE precautions removed. The median time to consult completion was four hours and 8 (4%) consults were converted to standard FTF consults. Conclusion E-consult services can provide safe and timely access to ID specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing the risk of infection to the patient and health care workers, while preserving PPE and testing supplies.Erythema multiforme is a self-limited condition that is characterized by the rapid onset of symmetric targetoid lesions. This hypersensitivity reaction is commonly triggered by herpes simplex virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor that is associated with drug-induced erythema multiforme. Radiotherapy is a rarely reported trigger of erythema multiforme. We report a case of recurrent pembrolizumab and radiotherapy-induced erythema multiforme in a patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to highlight a unique cause of erythema multiforme and to review the common radiation-induced cutaneous reactions.During the COVID-19 pandemic, stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability. Since the approach towards patients, treatments, and follow-up regimens has changed, tele-rehabilitation became a pillar for patients with ongoing recovery processes and rehabilitation strategies, especially for post-stroke patients. We describe the case of a 50-year-old male, suffering from right spastic hemiplegia and patellar clonus, for whom rehabilitation services were delivered both in-person (conventional physical therapy and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy) as well as with the aid of a tele-rehabilitation program. Assessments were conducted remotely via a self-adapted treadmill and stabilometric equipment, both connected to the Internet. At discharge and at 20 weeks follow-up, the patient showed decreased spasticity grade, improvement in sensorimotor function, balance, functional mobility, clonus score, ambulation distance, and decreased pain intensity. The case highlights the utility of tele-rehabilitation strategies in complementing and enhancing the effects of conventional physical therapy and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in post-stroke spasticity.Granular cell tumors are rare benign soft-tissue lesions that most commonly occur in the head and neck. They usually present in adulthood and are rarely seen in children. Here we present a 13-year-old girl who experienced symptoms of hoarseness of voice for most of her childhood and was unsuccessfully treated for asthma, acid reflux, allergies, and bronchitis before direct visualization revealed what was initially thought to be a vocal cord cyst. Surgical excision and pathology revealed the unexpected diagnosis of a vocal cord granular cell tumor. The patient has had resolution of dysphonia and is undergoing voice therapy.A 96-year-old female with severe dementia complained of subacute onset of right arm swelling after sleep using her right arm as a pillow. Computed tomography and ultrasonography could not detect any significant findings. Nevertheless, her unilateral edema was similar to that of a venous disorder; therefore, we performed angiography of the brachial vein with the right arm in a normal position and in an abduction position; significant stenosis was seen in the latter position. We diagnosed her with venous thoracic outlet syndrome. This case was unique from the typical cases of venous thoracic outlet syndrome because of the subacute onset of symptoms, high age at onset, and discrepancies between ultrasonography and angiography findings. Dementia is the key factor explaining these features. The diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome is generally difficult. Although provocative physical examination maneuvers and ultrasonography are essential, dynamic testing with provocative maneuvers allows physicians to detect venous compression, even if it is difficult to capture with static imaging tests. Once the diagnosis and its etiology were confirmed, corresponding intervention, including physical therapy, is warranted.Introduction To date, the proper choice of graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains a matter of conflict. We aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of the two most commonly utilized autografts, bone-patella tendon-bone (BPTB) and four-strand hamstring tendon (HT) graft, at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Methods In a prospective randomized study, we included a total of 60 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, thirty in BPTB and thirty in HT group. All patients were amateur athletes and were evaluated at 6 and12 months after surgery for (a)postoperativefunctionality of the operated knee by the Tegner, the Lysholm and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring scales, (b) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) instability of the operated knee compared to the healthy contralateral knee by the KT-1000 arthrometer and (c) theextension and flexion muscle strength of the operated knee by a CYBEXisokinetic dynamometer. Results Patients in the two groups did not di). Conclusion Both BPTB and HT grafts present with benefits and drawbacks and remain viable autograft options for primary ACL reconstruction as each has, although HT grafts seem to be more susceptible to re-rupture. The graft selection should be based on the needs and activities of each patient.While colonic leiomyomas are common, leiomyosarcomas of the GI tract are rare. Increased mitotic rate, as well as lymph node involvement, portend a worse prognosis in leiomyosarcomas. They can arise anywhere along the GI tract, but anal canal occurrence is extremely rare. We present the case of a 75-year-old male diagnosed eight years prior with leiomyoma of the anorectal junction. There was a recurrence after endoscopic resection. He was referred to colorectal surgery due to symptoms of bleeding, skin irritation, anal pruritus, and rectal pain. On exam, he had a palpable mass at the dentate line. Workup revealed a 3.5 cm mass at the anorectal junction with pathology showing a leiomyosarcoma with moderate atypia and a high mitotic rate. MRI revealed invasion into the prostate. Robotic pelvic exenteration, including cystoprostatectomy, abdominoperineal resection, and ileal conduit, was performed. Final pathology results showed a grade 2 leiomyosarcoma invading the prostate and skeletal muscle and incidentally found Gleason 3+4 prostate cancer, pT2. A very small percentage of anorectal leiomyosarcoma cases were located in the anal canal. Surgery remains the best curative option, as chemotherapy and radiation data are limited. This rare tumor, which previously has not been documented to have degenerated from a benign rectal leiomyoma, was diagnosed as a result of close monitoring after previous local resections and cured by local resection and radiation.Background This study aimed to understand the attitudes, beliefs, and concerns of physicians across India regarding the economic burden of diabetes and subsequently the cost-effectiveness of low-cost dapagliflozin for the management of patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on background metformin therapy in Indian clinical settings. Method A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among physicians treating people with T2DM with or without complications. The questions covered the general aspects of affordability and adherence to diabetes medications as well as specific details of low-cost dapagliflozin and its cost-effectiveness. Results In total, 844 physicians provided a response to the survey questionnaire. The physicians who participated in the study included diabetologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, consulting physicians, and family physicians. A majority of the physicians (53%) opined that only 10%-30% of their patients can afford the cost of newer antidiabetic mediis an effective and cost-saving therapy for patients with T2DM and complications. Low-cost dapagliflozin can revolutionize the treatment of T2DM in the Indian setting.Meningiomas are slowly growing benign tumors. The incidence of hemorrhage associated with intracranial meningiomas is in the 0.5%-2.4% range. However, intracranial meningiomas with hemorrhagic presentation are associated with higher rates of overall major morbidity (36%) and mortality (21.1%). We report a case of a convexity meningioma presenting with intraparenchymal hematoma and bilateral acute subdural hematomas (SDH) in a comatose patient (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 7) who had a history of recurrent episodes of headaches over the past few months. Hemorrhagic presentation of a meningioma is a rare but potentially devastating event. Early recognition of the potential underlying meningioma as a cause of bleeding followed by rapid appropriate additional imaging is crucial to direct treatment plans to achieve the best outcome.Type-2 diabetes mellitus prevalence is constantly increasing; this is explained by the increase of its risk factors and the amelioration of its management. Therefore, people are living longer with diabetes mellitus, which, in turn, has revealed new complications of the disease. Dementia is represented mainly by Alzheimer's disease and is an interesting topic of study. Accordingly, statistics have shown that dementia incidence is doubled in diabetic patients. The establishment of a relation between type-2 diabetes mellitus was studied on several levels in both humans and animal subjects. First, insulin receptors were found in the brain, especially the hippocampus, and insulin transport to the brain is mainly accomplished through the blood-brain barrier. Secondly, several studies showed that insulin affects multiple neurotransmitters in favor of promoting memory and cognition status. Thirdly, multiple pathological studies showed that insulin and Alzheimer's disease share many common lesions in the brain, such aanti-diabetes medications in treating dementia before they can be used in reality.The flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) is an anomalous muscle of the forearm that is only present in 3.5 to 8.6% of the population. In the case of volar plating of distal radius fractures, the FCRB inhibits proper fracture exposure and thus hinders proper reduction. A 78-year-old female presented with right distal radius fracture which necessitated internal fixation. Following mobilization and retraction of the flexor carpi radialis tendon, an anomalous muscle belly was identified as the FCRB. With continued difficulty in exposure and fracture site reduction, resection of the FCRB was performed. The patient was able to return to her activities of daily living without pain and demonstrated no appreciable functional deficit. This case report demonstrates a distal radius fracture where FCRB resection was used, resulting in no detrimental clinical outcomes.Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) may develop in patients with dysregulated immune activation (pre-existing autoimmune diseases or immunosuppression due to hematopoietic/solid organ transplant recipients), patients with a compromised immune function (long-term immunosuppression), and patients carrying chronic viral infections, or those affected by lymphoproliferative diseases. It should be also considered that patients presenting with immunosuppression have a high incidence of cSCC (65-250-times higher than general population), highlighting the central role played by the immune system in the development of cSCC. All these cases must be considered as "special populations" for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as the safety and activity of these drugs have not been studied on these specific cases, since these patients were excluded from clinical trials leading to approval of ICIs. It is therefore important to gain as much information as possible from the analysis of real-life data, to derive an indication to be adopted in everyday clinical setting. Moreover, therapeutic alternatives other than ICIs are scarce, mainly consisting in chemotherapy and anti-EGFR agents, whose activity is lower than immunotherapy and whose toxicity (particularly with chemotherapy) are not sustainable by this frail population. Here, we describe the current evidence of treatment with ICIs in special populations and conclude that it is necessary to find a balance between treatment risks (toxicities) and benefits (efficacy), as well as engaging a multidisciplinary team of experts to thoroughly manage and treat these patients.Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) represent one of the most diagnosed non-melanoma skin cancers and its incidence is increasing globally. Whereas early stage and low risk cSCC is typically treated with surgery, and in some cases other localized therapeutic modalities, locally advanced or metastatic cSCC is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality that requires a different approach to therapy. Therapeutic attempts at treating advanced cSCC include a multi-disciplinary approach with considerations for surgery, radiation, and systemic therapies. In this review, we will discuss the various systemic therapies that have been trialed for advanced cSCC, beginning with the early cytotoxic and platinum-based agents as well as their corresponding limitations. We will then review the targeted approaches using EGFR inhibitors prior to discussing the more recent immunotherapeutics that have shown good tumor responses in this often-lethal disease.
The use of radiotherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has solid historical roots. It is used with patients who are not suitable for surgery, with patients with high-risk histological features in the adjuvant setting, and in palliative care.

The aim of this article is to summarize and provide a radiation therapy overview on the indications, effectiveness, and potential adverse events of radiotherapy in the adjuvant and advanced setting of CSCC.

We performed a comprehensive literature review on PubMed, adopted as our biomedical literature database. Articles were selected based on their date of publication (in the last 30 years) and relevance.

Radiotherapy (RT) can safely be used to manage non-surgical patients and high-risk patients in the advanced CSCC setting. The remarkable progress of delivery techniques has greatly improved the effectiveness and toxicity profile of RT treatments. From 2D techniques to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy, all RT techniques perspective of the best multidisciplinary assessment.Surgery remains the first-line therapeutic option for most patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). However, in the current therapeutic landscape, surgery must attempt to the complete tumor resection (R0 resection) with the lowest risk of surgical complications. This double aim is usually accomplished through standard excision with clinical margins in patients with low-risk tumors or by some of the micrographically controlled surgery procedures for patients with tumors at high-risk of local recurrence and metastasis. Surgery is also a first-line treatment for nodal metastases of cSCC as well as an option to consider in patients who develop recurrences while receiving immunotherapy, or as a palliation procedure in patients with advanced tumors. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy, that is the use of a medical treatment before surgery, is under investigation in patients with cSCC. The decision-making process and guidelines recommendations regarding cSCC surgery are reviewed in this manuscript.Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common cancer affecting humans. The combination of the increasing incidence and high mortality in advanced stages of the disease, defines cSCC as an emerging public health problem. Advanced disease includes metastatic and locally advanced cSCC. Metastatic disease refers to the presence of locoregional metastasis (in transit or to regional lymph nodes) or distant metastasis. Locally advanced disease has been defined as non-metastatic cSCC that is unlikely to be cured with surgery, radiotherapy, or combination treatment. While metastatic cSCC is easily diagnosed, locally advanced disease lacks consensus definition and diagnosis is made after multidisciplinary board consultation. Identifying patients with aggressive cSCC at highest risk for relapse may prevent the occurrence of advanced disease. Prognostic factors suggested by most guidelines include tumor diameter (>2 cm), localization on temple/ear/lip/area, thickness (>6 mm), or invasion beyond subcutaneous fat, poor grade of differentiation, desmoplasia, perineural invasion, bone erosion, immunosuppression, undefined borders, recurrence, growth rate, site of prior radiotherapy, and lymphatic or vascular involvement. Although risk factors associated with worse outcomes are well known, there is still a gap of knowledge on the precise risk of each factor taken individually. The aim of this review is to summarize cSCC prognostic factors and encompass the various staging systems to guide management and follow-up in cSCC patients at higher risk for local recurrence and metastasis. Finally, we describe the hallmarks of the advanced disease. Advanced cSCC diagnosis should be made by a multidisciplinary board considering patients' performance status and disease characteristics.In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, students at the University of California, Irvine, reimagined their peer-led, small-group, tutorial sessions into an online format. The virtual sessions improved student-reported understanding of physiological principles and reduced exam anxiety. Peer-led review remains a valuable resource in the era of virtual medical education.
Lectures remain a common instructional method in medical education. Instructor methods, curricular factors, and technology affect students' use of scheduled live lectures that may impact faculty job satisfaction.

This study identified instructor methods and curriculum issues that influenced preclinical medical students' use of scheduled lectures as well as faculty perceptions of lectures and students' attendance.

First- and second-year osteopathic medical students (
 = 304) were invited to complete a voluntary, anonymous semantic differential scale, Likert scale, and dichotomous question survey, rating 22 lecturer methods and 9 curriculum factors that influence use of live lectures. Preclinical faculty (
 = 35) were also asked to complete a differential scale survey, rating 17 issues regarding live lectures and student attendance. Student and faculty surveys were analyzed using the appropriate central tendency and variability measures.

Students that completed the survey (
 = 144) rated the ability to attend live lectures.Inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement is indicated in patients with acute venous thromboembolism who cannot be adequately anticoagulated or have failed anticoagulation. Prompt IVCF retrieval decreases the risk of complications associated with longer dwell times including fracture, penetration, and further thromboembolic events. Endovascular IVCF retrieval has been performed despite penetration into adjacent structures including the aorta; however, penetration into the false lumen of an aortic dissection is rarely seen. This case report describes endovascular management of an 11 year old IVCF that caused iliocaval thrombosis and penetrated the false lumen of a chronic type B aortic dissection.Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a new technology in breast imaging and cancer detection. It has been shown to have a comparable performance to breast MRI. Currently, there is no independent BI-RADS lexicon available for CEM. This pictorial essay will demonstrate the use of breast MRI descriptors according to the BI-RADS breast MRI lexicon, to describe enhancement patterns for recombined CEM images. The authors recommend using enhancement pattern descriptors already in use for breast MRI when reporting CEM studies, to promote uniformity of interpretation and reporting.Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis or phycomycosis) is an uncommon opportunistic infection with the gastrointestinal form being the rarest occurrence and one of the most lethal infections known to humanity. The most common risk factors predisposing to develop gastric mucormycosis are uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, stem cell transplantation, or underlying any hematologic malignancy and major trauma. Pain abdomen, hematemesis, and melena are common symptoms which the patient presents. The exact diagnosis of gastric mucormycosis can be missed due rarity of the disease. A high level of suspicion is required in the early diagnosis and management of disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The radiological imaging modalities such as CT scan or MRI of the abdomen initially usually reveal non-specific findings such as mucosal wall thickening, mass, and reactive lymphadenopathy and prompt additional investigation with endoscopic or surgical biopsy of the lesions. The disease outcome and mortality are very high with gastrointestinal mucormycosis.
Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a challenging diagnosis to make secondary to nonspecific presenting symptoms and imaging findings. This retrospective review aims to discern predictive factors which can guide the decision to perform catheter-based venography and prognosticate outcomes.

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent catheter venography for PCS between January 2014 and December 2019 was performed. Multiple factors, including patient demographics, clinical history, pre-procedural imaging, venographic findings, and treatment outcomes 180 days post-procedure, were included in the analysis. Venographic findings were used to separate patients into two groups (positive or negative), with these factors compared across groups. Regression analysis controlled for the confounding effects of age and body mass index (BMI). Treated subjects were separated based on outcome (partial, no response, complete response, or technical failure), and comparisons were performed.

Eighty patients were includected PCS. In addition, patients who carried concomitant potentially confounding diagnoses for chronic pelvic pain were found to have similar rates of venographic findings suggesting PCS, as well as similar treatment outcomes.Diabetic fibrous mastopathy (DFM) is a relatively rare condition that most often occurs in insulin-dependent diabetics with a characteristic hypoechoic appearance on ultrasound (US). DFM frequently poses a diagnostic challenge in radiology due to malignant imaging similarities, and core needle biopsy is often required. If DFM is in the differential, fine-needle aspiration should not be considered as it will likely be non-diagnostic due to insufficient sampling and excisional biopsy should be avoided as it may worsen the disease process. Therefore, high clinical suspicion of DFM is important for diagnostic intervention consideration. We report the case of a 57-year-old who presented with a firm breast lump which on mammography was seen as a new 5.8 by 5.3 cm global asymmetry. US was performed and a diffuse area of increased echogenicity without posterior shadowing was identified. Given the appearance and patient history, DFM was considered unlikely. However, core needle biopsy revealed diabetic lymphocytic mastopathy consistent with DFM. Even though DFM is uncommon and has been reported to have a specific US appearance, it should be included in the differential for a palpable breast lump in any diabetic patient regardless of glucose control or atypical imaging findings.
The purpose of this study is to determine the biological markers more frequently associated with recurrence in the reconstructed breast, to evaluate the detection method, and to correlate recurrent breast cancers with the detection method.

An institutional review board-approved retrospective study was conducted at a single institution on 131 patients treated with mastectomy for primary breast cancer followed by breast reconstruction between 2005 and 2012. Imaging features were correlated with clinical and pathologic findings.

Of the 131 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 40 patients presented with breast cancer recurrence. The most common histopathologic type of primary breast cancer was invasive ductal carcinoma in 82.5% (33/40) of patients. Triple-negative breast cancer was the most common biological marker with 42.1% (16/38) of cases. Clinically, 70% (28/40) of the recurrences presented as palpable abnormalities. Of nine patients who underwent mammography, a mass was seen in eight patients. Of the 35 patients who underwent ultrasound evaluation, an irregular mass was found in 48.6% (17/35) of patients. Nine patients with recurrent breast cancer underwent breast MRI, and MRI showed an irregular enhancing mass in four patients, an oval mass in four patients, and skin and trabecular thickening in one patient. About 55% of patients with recurrent breast cancer were found to have distant metastases.

Patients at higher risk for locoregional recurrence may benefit from imaging surveillance in order to detect early local recurrences.
Patients at higher risk for locoregional recurrence may benefit from imaging surveillance in order to detect early local recurrences.
Moyamoya disease is a rare chronic steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disease. It may have variable clinical symptoms associated with cerebral stroke, including motor paralysis, sensory disturbances, seizures, or headaches. However, patients with moyamoya disease rarely present with involuntary movement disorders, including limb-shaking syndrome, with no previous reports of limb-shaking syndrome occurring after revascularization procedures for this disease. Although watershed shifts can elicit transient neurological deterioration after revascularisation, symptoms originating from the contralateral hemisphere following the revascularization procedure are rare. Here, we report the case of moyamoya disease wherein the patient developed limb-shaking syndrome derived from the contralateral hemisphere after unilateral revascularisation.

A 16-year-old girl presented with transient left upper and lower limb numbness and headache. Based on digital subtraction angiography, she was diagnosed with symptomatic moyamoya db-shaking syndrome derived from abnormalities in the contralateral hemisphere of the revascularized side. For patients with new-onset limb-shaking syndrome after moyamoya revascularisation procedures, additional revascularization may be warranted for treatment of low perfusion areas.
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) represents the most common neurosurgical disease. Given the demographic shift toward an aging population, the overall incidence of this condition is increasing. Nevertheless, clarity in the pathophysiological process is yet to be made. Several etiological mechanisms have been proposed to initiate and consequently promote fluid collection in the subdural space. Traumatic injury of the bridging veins has long been considered the primum movens of the pathology but increasing evidence shows that trauma is not the only factor involved. Along with recent advances we sought to understand the role of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the buildup of the intense inflammatory reaction that characterizes CSDH.

In the present study, we examined histological features of reactive membranes secondary to extracranial CSF leakage with CSDH-related membranes. Similarity and differences between the specimens were examined by means of light microscopy.

Histological similarities were consistently found between CSDH membranes and reactive membranes secondary to CSF leakage in the extracranial space.
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