We report our experience with LC for small renal tumors.
Patients who underwent LC at our institution between February 2000 and September 2004 were included in the study. A retrospective chart review ...was done for perioperative and postoperative parameters as well as clinical outcomes.
A total of 65 LCs were performed in 59 patients during the period reviewed. Overall 81 renal tumors were cryoablated. Median patient age was 62 years. Median tumor size was 2.5 cm. Median operative time was 190 minutes. Median estimated blood loss was 50 ml. Median hospital stay was 2 days. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 2 patients. Nephrectomy for bleeding occurred in 1 patient. Median followup was 26.8 months. Two recurrences were identified after LC.
LC is an alterative modality to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy or open partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors. Tumor recurrence rates in the studies published to date are comparable to those of partial nephrectomy, although longer followup is needed.
To describe a technique for the visualization and measurement of cerebral aqueduct diameter through a 2D sagittal median plane, and to report its aspect and measurement in fetuses with aqueductal ...stenosis (AS).
This was a cross-sectional study of 207 morphologically normal fetuses in low-risk pregnancies between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation. The cerebral aqueduct was visualized transvaginally in a midsagittal plane, and measurements of its greatest diameter (ampulla) were taken independently by an expert and a nonexpert sonographer. In addition, the aqueduct morphology from 7 fetuses with AS and complete follow-up were compared to the reference range.
Aqueductal measurements were obtained in 206 of 207 normal fetuses. Aqueductal growth occurred linearly with gestational age. Our method demonstrated excellent interobserver reproducibility. Among the 7 fetuses with AS, the aqueductal lumen could not be identified in 6 and had a funneling aspect in 1.
Our study demonstrated that it is possible to visualize and measure the cerebral aqueduct directly through a 2D ultrasound median plane. In fetuses with severe ventriculomegaly, the morphology and width of this structure could represent a relevant tool in improving AS diagnosis, differentiating it from other causes of significant ventricular dilation that carry a different outcome.
Background For patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), imaging studies are obtained to facilitate minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. If imaging studies are nonlocalizing, it is not known ...if exploration should begin on a particular side or gland location. Study Design A retrospective review of a prospective parathyroid database was performed. The cohort consists of pHPT patients who underwent initial parathyroidectomy between December 1999 and July 2010 and had all preoperative imaging studies reported as nonlocalizing (negative or indeterminate). Results Of 880 patients, 151 (17%) had nonlocalizing imaging studies. Reasons for starting exploration on a particular side were identified in 78 (52%) patients and included concomitant thyroid pathology (53%), suspicion on surgeon re-review of imaging (38%), or earlier thyroidectomy (9%). Exploration began on the right in 52%, the left in 42%, and was unknown in 6%. The surgeon had suspicion on imaging in 30 patients and correctly started on the side of pathology in 19 (63%). Hyperfunctioning glands were in eutopic locations in 144 patients (95%) and 3 had intrathyroidal glands. In 111 patients (74%) with single gland disease, median adenoma weight was 320 mg (range 80 to 8,210 mg). There was no difference in adenoma laterality (p = 0.7) or location (p = 0.8). Intraoperative parathyroid hormone criteria were met in 145 (96%) patients and 149 are eucalcemic at last follow-up; 2 (0.7%) patients have persistent disease. Conclusions In pHPT patients with nonlocalizing imaging, hyperfunctioning glands are not more frequently located on a particular side or anatomic position. Eutopic location is common and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring should be used to guide the extent of surgery.
En Chile, actualmente la población categorizada como jóvenes que ni estudian ni trabajan (conocidos como nini) asciende a cerca de medio millón de personas, lo que presenta un desafío en la ...orientación de estrategias que les permitan insertarse en el mercado del trabajo o continuar sus estudios. Esta investigación tiene por finalidad determinar los factores que influyen en la transición de la escoaridad al trabajo en la población de jóvenes chilenos, por medio de modelos probabilísticos a partir de datos representativos a nivel nacional. Los resultados muestran que son determinantes la pobreza, la existencia de menores en el hogar, el género y la paternidad o maternidad adolescente. Se establecen algunas estrategias y se hace hincapié en continuar el estudio considerando la multitud de factores que están involucrados.
Sonography is the recommended initial imaging test in the evaluation of patients presenting with right upper quadrant pain or jaundice. Dependent upon clinical circumstances, the differential ...diagnosis includes choledocholithiasis, biliary stricture, or tumor. Sonography is very sensitive in detection of mechanical biliary obstruction and stone disease, although less sensitive for detection of obstructing tumors, including pancreatic carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. In patients with sonographically documented cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with operative clearance of the biliary stone disease is usually performed. In patients with clinically suspected biliary stone disease, without initial sonographic documentation of choledocholithiasis, endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is the next logical imaging step. Endoscopic ultrasound documentation of choledocholithiasis in a postcholecystectomy patient should lead to retrograde cholangiography, sphincterotomy, and clearance of the ductal calculi by endoscopic catheter techniques. In patients with clinical and sonographic findings suggestive of malignant biliary obstruction, a multipass contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination to detect and stage possible pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, or periductal neoplasm is usually recommended. Assessment of tumor resectability and staging can be performed by CT or a combination of CT and endoscopic ultrasound, the latter often combined with fine needle aspiration biopsy of suspected periductal tumor. In patients whose CT scan suggests hepatic hilar or central intrahepatic biliary tumor, percutaneous cholangiography and transhepatic biliary stent placement is usually followed by brushing or fluoroscopically directed fine needle aspiration biopsy for tissue diagnosis. Sonography is the imaging procedure of choice for biliary tract intervention, including cholecystostomy, guidance for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, and drainage of peribiliary abscesses.
The diversity of araneomorph spiders in an ecoturistic tropical forest remnant of approximately 40ha is described. A 1-ha plot with homogeneous vegetation was established. Six sampling methods ...covered all microhabitats, except tree canopy. Four expeditions were conducted from August 2011 to June 2012. In a total of 485 samples, 4,118 adult specimens representing 205 morphospecies were collected. Nonparametric richness estimates varied between 229 and 295 species. All collected morphospecies and species were documented with 2,233 digital images available at www.unamfcaracnolab.com. These images are intended to expedite species identification and to allow comparisons of taxa not formally described. Morphospecies identifications included: 91 species, 12 as similar to a described species, 86 to genus and 16 to family. Differences between seasonality and species collected revealed that March and June were similar in composition and were better represented in both number of species and adult specimens than August and November, although the collecting effort was the same. The similarity ranged between 0.35 and 0.71 among seasons.
Se describe la diversidad de arañas araneomorfas en un remanente ecoturístico de bosque tropical de aproximadamente 40ha. Se estableció una parcela de 1ha abarcando vegetación homogénea. Seis métodos de muestreo cubrieron todos los microhábitats disponibles excepto el dosel. Se efectuaron 4 expediciones de agosto de 2011 a junio de 2012. En un total de 485 muestras se recolectaron 4,118 especímenes adultos pertenecientes a 205 morfoespecies. Los estimadores de riqueza no paramétrica mostraron un rango de entre 229 y 295 especies. Todas las morfoespecies y especies recolectadas fueron documentadas con 2,233 imágenes digitales disponibles en la página www.unamfcaracnolab.com. Estas imágenes están encaminadas a acelerar la identificación de especies y a ayudar a comparar taxones sin describir. Las identificaciones de morfoespecies incluyeron 91 especies, 12 morfoespecies similares a taxones descritos, 86 géneros y 16 familias. Las diferencias entre estacionalidad y especies recolectadas revelaron que los muestreos realizados en marzo y junio fueron similares entre sí y se encontró una mayor cantidad de especies y especímenes adultos que los de agosto y noviembre, teniendo el mismo esfuerzo de colecta en todos los casos. La similitud de especies varió de 0.35 a 0.71 entre estaciones.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) represent two manifestations of the same syndrome, venous thromboembolism. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) angiography is a ...practical, efficient alternative to conventional imaging for PE. Following the pulmonary examination, the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the iliac, femoral, and popliteal veins can be studied with CT without additional intravenous contrast administration. Indirect CT venography (CTV) after CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) simplifies and shortens venous thromboembolism work-up. Initial studies indicate that CTV is comparable to ultrasound in the evaluation of femoral/popliteal DVT. CTV has the advantage of evaluating the iliac veins and inferior vena cava, vessels poorly seen on sonography and venography. Combining CTV with CTPA increases confidence in withholding treatment when results for both the pulmonary arteries and leg veins are negative and increases the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism by 25% over CTPA alone. This pictorial essay will review the normal venous anatomy, CTV technique, and the findings of acute and chronic DVT. Interpretive pitfalls and alternative diagnoses are also reviewed.
The recent introduction of cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation of liver metastasis has expanded the indications for treatment. As technology has advanced, a percutaneous approach has been ...developed. Percutaneous treatment, however, requires accurate preoperative imaging. From 1993 to 1999, 179 patients underwent operative exploration for treatment of suspected hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. One hundred seventy-seven patients were staged by preoperative CT, two patients were staged by MRI, and complete data were available in 176. Hepatic tumor count by preoperative imaging was compared to intraoperative tumor count obtained by inspection, palpation, ultrasonographic examination using a 3.5/7.5 MHz T probe, and careful gross sectioning of the resected specimen. Post hoc analysis was performed on 35 CT scans by two radiologists who specialize in abdominal CT. These radiologists were blinded to the intraoperative findings. Their interpretations were compared to the intraoperative counts and to each other. Thirty-four (19%) of 179 patients were deemed untreatable at operation because of unsuspected overwhelming liver involvement in 11 (6%) or extrahepatic metastases in 23 (13%). For the group, CT was accurate in 80 patients (45%), showed more lesions than were found in 16 (9%), and showed fewer metastases than were found in 80 (45%). When the preoperative scan predicted a solitary metastasis, it was correct in 45 (65%) of 69 patients and underestimated disease in 24 (35%). In the post hoc analysis, the mean numbers of lesions reported by the two radiologists did not differ from the mean number of tumors found; however, the radiologists' counts agreed on 16 (59%) and disagreed on 11 (41%) of the scans. The accuracy of CT decreased with increasing numbers of lesions. Regardless of the type of preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings altered the course of the operation in 96 (55%) of 176 patients. Preoperative imaging is not sufficiently accurate to permit adequate percutaneous treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma.
IMPORTANCE: There are limitations in current diagnostic testing approaches for Alzheimer disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To examine plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 217 (P-tau217) as a diagnostic ...biomarker for AD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Three cross-sectional cohorts: an Arizona-based neuropathology cohort (cohort 1), including 34 participants with AD and 47 without AD (dates of enrollment, May 2007-January 2019); the Swedish BioFINDER-2 cohort (cohort 2), including cognitively unimpaired participants (n = 301) and clinically diagnosed patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 178), AD dementia (n = 121), and other neurodegenerative diseases (n = 99) (April 2017-September 2019); and a Colombian autosomal-dominant AD kindred (cohort 3), including 365 PSEN1 E280A mutation carriers and 257 mutation noncarriers (December 2013-February 2017). EXPOSURES: Plasma P-tau217. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcome was the discriminative accuracy of plasma P-tau217 for AD (clinical or neuropathological diagnosis). Secondary outcome was the association with tau pathology (determined using neuropathology or positron emission tomography PET). RESULTS: Mean age was 83.5 (SD, 8.5) years in cohort 1, 69.1 (SD, 10.3) years in cohort 2, and 35.8 (SD, 10.7) years in cohort 3; 38% were women in cohort 1, 51% in cohort 2, and 57% in cohort 3. In cohort 1, antemortem plasma P-tau217 differentiated neuropathologically defined AD from non-AD (area under the curve AUC, 0.89 95% CI, 0.81-0.97) with significantly higher accuracy than plasma P-tau181 and neurofilament light chain (NfL) (AUC range, 0.50-0.72; P < .05). The discriminative accuracy of plasma P-tau217 in cohort 2 for clinical AD dementia vs other neurodegenerative diseases (AUC, 0.96 95% CI, 0.93-0.98) was significantly higher than plasma P-tau181, plasma NfL, and MRI measures (AUC range, 0.50-0.81; P < .001) but not significantly different compared with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) P-tau217, CSF P-tau181, and tau-PET (AUC range, 0.90-0.99; P > .15). In cohort 3, plasma P-tau217 levels were significantly greater among PSEN1 mutation carriers, compared with noncarriers, from approximately 25 years and older, which is 20 years prior to estimated onset of MCI among mutation carriers. Plasma P-tau217 levels correlated with tau tangles in participants with (Spearman ρ = 0.64; P < .001), but not without (Spearman ρ = 0.15; P = .33), β-amyloid plaques in cohort 1. In cohort 2, plasma P-tau217 discriminated abnormal vs normal tau-PET scans (AUC, 0.93 95% CI, 0.91-0.96) with significantly higher accuracy than plasma P-tau181, plasma NfL, CSF P-tau181, CSF Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio, and MRI measures (AUC range, 0.67-0.90; P < .05), but its performance was not significantly different compared with CSF P-tau217 (AUC, 0.96; P = .22). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among 1402 participants from 3 selected cohorts, plasma P-tau217 discriminated AD from other neurodegenerative diseases, with significantly higher accuracy than established plasma- and MRI-based biomarkers, and its performance was not significantly different from key CSF- or PET-based measures. Further research is needed to optimize the assay, validate the findings in unselected and diverse populations, and determine its potential role in clinical care.
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