Initial clinical experience with magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy in pediatric patients: Lessons learned from a single institution with proton therapy.

Purpose/Objectives: Magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) is increasingly used in a variety of adult cancers. To date, published experience regarding the use of MRgRT in pediatric patients is limited to two case reports. We report on the use of MRgRT for pediatric patients at our institution during a four-year period and describe important considerations in the selection and application of this technology in children. Materials/Methods: All patients treated with MRgRT since inception at our institution between 4/2018 and 4/2022 were retrospectively reviewed. We also evaluated all pediatric patients treated at our institution during the same period who received either imaging or treatment using our magnetic resonance-guided linear accelerator (MR Linac). We summarize four clinical cases where MRgRT was selected for treatment in our clinic, including disease outcomes and toxicities and describe our experience using the MR Linac for imaging before and during treatment for image fusion and tumor assessments. Results: Between 4/2018 and 4/2022, 535 patients received MRgRT at our center, including 405 (75.7%) with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). During this period, 347 distinct radiotherapy courses were delivered to pediatric patients, including 217 (62.5%) with proton therapy. Four pediatric patients received MRgRT. One received SABR for lung metastasis with daily adaptive replanning and a second was treated for liver metastasis using a non-adaptive workflow. Two patients received fractionated MRgRT for an ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma. No Grade 2 or higher toxicities were observed or reported during MRgRT or subsequent follow-up. Twelve patients underwent MR imaging without contrast during treatment for brain tumors to assess for tumor/cystic changes. Two patients treated with other modalities underwent MR simulation for target volume delineation and organ at risk sparing due to anatomic changes during treatment or unexpected delays in obtaining diagnostic MR appointments. Conclusions: In four pediatric patients treated with MRgRT, treatment was well tolerated with no severe acute effects. At our center, most pediatric patients are treated with proton therapy, but the cases selected for MRgRT demonstrated significant organ at risk sparing compared to alternative modalities. In particular, MRgRT may provide advantages for thoracic/abdominal/pelvic targets using gated delivery and adaptive replanning, but selected patients treated with fractionated radiotherapy may also benefit MRgRT through superior organ at risk sparing.

Stereotactic MR-guided online adaptive radiotherapy reirradiation (SMART reRT) for locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic MR-guided online adaptive radiation therapy (SMART) has demonstrated a superior radiotherapeutic ratio for pancreatic patients, by enabling dose escalation while minimizing the dose to the proximal gastrointestinal organs at risk through online adaptive radiotherapy. The safe delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is of particular importance in the reirradiation setting and has been historically limited to CT-based nonadaptive modalities. Herein, we report the first use of online adaptive radiotherapy in the reirradiation setting, specifically for treatment of locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma through SMART reirradiation (SMART reRT). CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the treatment of a 68-year-old male who was diagnosed with, unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Initial treatment included FOLFIRINOX followed by 45 Gy in 25 fractions on a helical intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) device with concurrent capecitabine, followed by a boost of 14.4 Gy in 8 fractions to a on an MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) linac. At approximately 12 months from initial radiotherapy, the patient experienced local progression of the pancreas body/tail and therefore SMART reRT of 50 Gy in 5 fractions was initiated. The technical considerations of cumulative dose for gastrointestinal organs across multiple courses, treatment planning principles, and adaptive radiotherapy details are outlined in this case study. The patient tolerated treatment well with minimal fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic ratio of reirradiation may be improved using daily MR guidance with online adaptive replanning, especially for lesions in proximity to critical structures. Future studies are warranted to assess long-term outcomes of dose escalated MR-guided reRT, define OAR dose constraints for reRT, and assess cumulative dose across the adapted SMART reRT fractions and the original RT plan.

Back to basics with distal thumb reconstruction. Easy management of the incomplete amputation.

Thumb reconstruction has always been challenging for hand surgeons. The disability can severely influence the working and social life of the patient, even if just the distal phalanx is affected. Revascularization is the best surgical option for incomplete distal amputation, although microsurgical reconstruction, sometimes, could be not feasible. A simple basic-skills-based reconstructive method, that takes into account the length preservation and a short recovery should be advocated. We treated 14 incomplete distal thumb amputations with bone exposure, classified as Hirase zone IIA-IIB. The distal thumb was held by a short tissue islet, nor neurovascular bundle, nor dorsal vein was included. Patients were assessed for skin and bone healing, length of thumb shortening, and time of return to full occupational activity. QDASH score was evaluated along with a two-point discrimination test. The outcome was fair in all 14 patients. Partial distal thumb necrosis was observed in six cases (40%); they healed by secondary intention. Finger shortening had a mean of 6.9 mm (range, 6-8 mm), mean interphalangeal joint motion was 48 degrees (range,45-55 degrees). The median static two-point discrimination was 7.1 mm (range, 6-9 mm), the mean quick DASH score was 1.8 (range, 0-4.5). All patients returned to work within a mean of 4.3 weeks (range, 4-5 weeks). The follow-up period was 12 months. Length preservation, fast recovery and easy return to manual work, above all, are the keystones of our successful procedure. Whether the revascularization is not executable, we provide a reliable and simple method to grant a functional thumb.

The Consequences of Cannabis Use: A Review of Self-Reported Use and Experiences Among College Students.

BACKGROUND: Healthy People 2020 has introduced a new initiative focused on adolescent health, ages 10-17, and young adults, ages 18-25, due to health and social problems starting or peaking during these years. The initiative focuses on decreasing such problems including substance use. Cannabis is one of the most popular illegal substances used among young adults for recreation in the United States. Multiple consequences of cannabis use are well documented in the literature including the development of medical problems, developmental delays, and social issues. Furthermore, academic success is linked to overall health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore cannabis use and knowledge of consequences among college students at a university in southwest Texas. METHOD: Secondary analysis of survey results from students at a small, private university. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, a self-report questionnaire, was utilized to measure alcohol and drug usage, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions regarding drug and alcohol usage. The survey was distributed to all 6,537 undergraduate students. The survey results were collected over a 3-month period and provided to the authors for interpretation. RESULTS: Eighty-two survey responses were received. Analysis indicated that 24.7% of the students used marijuana in the past year, and 16% had used cannabis within 30 days of the survey. Of the respondents surveyed, 13.3% reported they used cannabis occasionally and 38.7% reported they used cannabis regularly. Furthermore, survey results indicated that 12.7% of respondents reported some of the consequences from cannabis use experienced within the past year included public misconduct, such as fighting, arguing, and vandalism. In addition, 13.9% reported having experienced serious personal problems due to cannabis use at least once during the past year including injuries, suicidal thoughts, and sexual assault. Reported attitudes and perceptions of cannabis use include 13.3% perceived great risk associated with cannabis use. Moreover, 62.3% of respondents believe that their friends would disapprove of cannabis use. A negative correlation was identified between cannabis use within the previous 30 days and low grades. CONCLUSION: The consequences of cannabis use are well documented in the literature, yet cannabis remains a popularly used illegal substance among college students. Despite experiencing known consequences of cannabis use, much of the sample reported regular use of the substance. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Results of the study may be used to improve education and interventions aimed at reducing cannabis use among college students. In addition, providers may use the information to provide patient education at routine visits.

Postsurgical antithrombotic therapy in microsurgery: our protocol and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the improvements reached by microsurgeons in the last 30 years, postoperative complications still occur and most of them are the result of venous thrombosis at the pedicle anastomosis. Primary prevention of thrombosis is mandatory and anticoagulant therapy in the preoperative and postoperative period is widely used. Still, there is a lack of consensus in the literature about the best postoperative protocol for microsurgical reconstruction. The authors aimed to review the postoperative antithrombotic regimens described in literature focusing on their effects and risks, and moreover, share their experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a literature review of postsurgical antithrombotic protocols applied in reconstructive microsurgery. Research on PubMed server was performed typing the terms "antithrombotic", "postoperative", "microsurgery", "free flap pedicle", "anticlotting", "anticoagulant". RESULTS: The authors described the postoperative standardized pro-weight pharmacological protocol applied in their unit: a combination of dextran and heparin. They inhibit more than one pattern of coagulation in order to stop platelet aggregation and thrombin action and, in the meantime, contending fluid loss with plasma expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, a non-standardized practice, based on experience, is applied by microsurgeons in postsurgical care; the authors performed a review of the combined antithrombotic therapies described in the literature. A standardized pro-weight pharmacological protocol is proposed; it allows to increase blood flow by volume expander action (Dextran) and thrombin inhibition (Heparin). Still, coagulation cascade and platelet function have a wide variability among humans, as well as the effect of drugs. Achieving an optimal antithrombotic effect and minimizing adverse reactions meantime remains a challenge.

Anterolateral adipofascial turnover flap of the leg: Anatomical study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to clearly define the vascularisation of the lateral paratibial septum of the leg, defining the basis for a vertical pedicled adipofascial flap harvested from the anterolateral aspect of the leg to cover pretibial soft tissue defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve cadaver legs (eight fixed with formalin and four fresh) were dissected. The vessels running into the lateral paratibial septum were identified. The number of vessels were noted and evaluated at the lateral border of the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the leg. In addition, an angiographic study was performed on two limbs to confirm the connection between tibialis anterior artery and the overlaying fascia through these septal vessels. RESULTS: All the specimens had periosteo-septal vessels running in the lateral aspect of the tibia. The average number was 6.6. The distribution was constant in all the thirds of the leg. CONCLUSION: These data are useful to propose the harvesting technique for adipofascial flap with vertical pedicle as a suitable reconstructive option to cover pretibial soft tissue defects.

Relación entre la recesión ósea y atrición en cráneos secos contemporáneos / Relationship between bone recession and attrition in contemporary dry skulls

Objetivos: El objetivo de éste estudio és observar la posible influencia de las fuerzas oclusales según el grado de atrición de las piezas dentarias sobre la altura de la cresta alveolar. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron dientes de cráneos secos de la época actual y secomparó el desgaste oclusal ó atrición (A) con la pérdida de altura de la cresta alveolar (CA) ó recesión ósea (RO) y ambos registros se relacionaron estadísticamente. Resultados: De todos los dientes estudiados 2 tuvieron grado de atrición (GA) 0, 170 grado 1, 96 grado 2 y 15 grado 3. Registrando la recesión ósea (RO) las medidas extremas promedio estuvieron entre 2,80mm y 5,30mm; la mayor RO promedio se encontró en la parte media de las caras libres (pieza 23) y la menor en distal (pieza 11). Conclusión: No hay correlación entre la recesión ósea y el desgaste oclusal ó atrición.

Aim: The aim of these work is to know the relaciònship between the bonerecessiòn and the attritiòn.Materials and methods: We taken 228 teeth belonging to 25 dry skullsof actual edge and we compare the bone recession (BR) with the occlusalwaer or attrition (A) and both to be related with a statistical analyses.Results: Of all the teeth studied, 2 had attrition degree 0, 170 degree 1,96 degree 2 y 15 degree 3. Regarding the BR the measures differ between2,80 to 5,30mm. The BR major average was in the middle of the free aspect(tooth 23) and the minor in distal (tooth 11).Conclusion: There are not correlation between bone recession andocclusal wear or attrition.

Should fat graft be recommended in tendon scar treatment? Considerations on three cases (two feet and a severe burned hand).

OBJECTIVES: Lipostructure has been reported as a successful ancillary tool for surgery in tenolysis procedures, but to date no reports of its capability to resolve tendon adherence without further surgery have been reported. The aim of this study is to highlight the role of lipografting in the treatment of tendon and joint adherences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our experience, we started treating important tendon adherences together with nerve entrapment on the dorsal aspect of the foot in two cases and in a severe burned hand. RESULTS: We achieved good results both in terms of function and sensory recovery. A twenty four month follow up showed good maintenance of the ROM. We also reported gaining of almost 30-40 degrees of a flexion contracure in the second finger of a burned hand, minimizing further surgery for scar contracture and tenoarthrolysis, with a stable follow up. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that prior to refer to surgery scars involving tendons as well as joints should be considered for lipografting.

Dorsalis Pedis Adipofascial Perforator flap for great toe reconstruction: anatomical study and clinical applications.

Defects of the dorsum of the foot can be challenging to reconstruct, none more so than the dorsum of the toe. The reverse Dorsalis Pedis Adipofascial Perforator (DPAP) flap is one possible reconstructive option for defects in this region. The aim of this study was to first demonstrate the anatomy of this flap, particularly the consistency of the perforators arising from the dorsalis pedis artery. Second, we present a clinical series based on this flap to demonstrate how it can be used. For the anatomical studies, 22 fresh cadaveric lower extremities were dissected, and injection studies were used to delineate the vascular territories. The presence of the distal perforator, distance to the first metatarso-phalangeal joint and diameter of each perforator were recorded. The cadaveric studies confirmed the presence of distal perforators to the first metatarso-phalangeal joint in 100% of limbs examined. The clinical study demonstrated the feasibility of the use of the adipofascial turn-over perforator flap for dorsal foot reconstruction. These anatomic findings provide an alternative method of reconstruction of great toe defects using the reverse DPAP flap.

La inflamación periodontal y su relación con el embarazo y parto / Periodontal inflammation and its relationship to pregnancy and child delivery

Es sabida la influencia de la infección periodontal en la salud general de las personas, como lo determinan numerosas publicaciones demostrando las alteraciones de los distintos aparatos sistémicos y el hallazgo de bacterias y sustancias proinflamatorias que tuvieron su origen en la inflamación gingivoperiodontal. La bibliografía internacional muestra la influencia de la periodontitis en la alteración del tiempo de embarazo y del peso del recién nacido como consecuencia de la existencia de enfermedad periodontal en las futuras madres. Con el objetivo de conocer tal situación en nuestro medio, estudiamos un grupo de mujeres embarazadas registrando el estado periodontal y su seguimiento hasta el parto para establecer el tiempo de gestación y el peso de los recién nacidos.

Presencia de factores sistémicos en los distintos estados periodontales / The presence of systemic factors in the different periodontal conditions

Se escribe sobre la importancia de la infección que representa la enfermedad periodontal como iniciación o agravamiento de las alteraciones en losdistintos sistémas que conforman nuestro organismo, como también a la inversa las enfermedades sistémicas pueden facilitar la acción de la placa bacteriana al disminuir las defensas de los tejidos de soporte. El objetivo de éste trabajo es conocer la existencia de éstos factores sistémicos en cada unode los grados de evolución de la enfermedad gingivoperiodontal

Combined mirror visual and auditory feedback therapy for upper limb phantom pain: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain is a very common issue after amputations. In recent years there has been accumulating data implicating 'mirror visual feedback' or 'mirror therapy' as helpful in the treatment of phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 24-year-old Caucasian man, a left upper limb amputee, treated with mirror visual feedback combined with auditory feedback with improved pain relief. CONCLUSION: This case may suggest that auditory feedback might enhance the effectiveness of mirror visual feedback and serve as a valuable addition to the complex multi-sensory processing of body perception in patients who are amputees.

Homodigital dorsal adipofascial reverse flap: anatomical study of distal perforators and key points for safe dissection.

Dorsal adipofascial flaps have been used in the surgical reconstruction of complex injuries distal to the eponychial fold. Such injuries produce nail matrix devascularization/necrosis so that nail bed reconstruction can be a challenging technical problem. Irregular scarring of the nail bed and regrowth anomalies of the nail lamina can result, with both functional and cosmetic impairment of the finger. This study aimed to define the precise vascular anatomy of the dorsal adipofascial flap that has previously been used to reconstruct such complex soft tissue defects. Specifically, the purpose was to identify the key points of safe dissection for these flaps. Anatomical dissections were performed on 32 long fingers. The vascular tree was injected with suitable contrast and the distal dorsal region of the long fingers was studied.

The orbicularis oculi muscle flap: its use for treatment of lagophthalmos and a review of its use for other applications.

BACKGROUND: The management of lagophthalmos in patients with long-standing facial palsy is difficult, since the immobility and scleral show have to be corrected to protect the vision. In this article, the authors describe the treatment of paralytic eye with a static technique using a medially based orbicularis oculi muscle flap (OOMF) from the upper eyelid in patients with lagophthalmos. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 2006 to May 2008, five Caucasian patients with ages ranging from 45 to 71 years (mean, 61 years) were treated at the Plastic Surgery Unit of Messina University. All patients underwent orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) transposition flap to support the lower orbicularis oculi and create a suspension of the eyelid. To validate the anatomical features of the OOM transposition flap, four fresh cadaver heads (eight eyelids) were dissected to demonstrate flap viability, feasibility and suspension effect. RESULTS: We achieved resolution of the lagophthalmos and good cosmetic appearance in all cases. The distance between the upper and lower eyelid points during eye closing (as for sleep) was reduced postoperatively on the paralysed side compared to the contralateral healthy side. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 25 months (mean, 12 months). All patients healed well with no complications of the flaps. There was no flap contraction, recurrent deformity or significant donor-site morbidity in the follow-up period. The incision scars were almost invisible. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that the switching of upper blepharoplasty technique from the upper eyelid to the paralysed and scarred lower lid can be used as a tool to treat lagophthalmos.

[Adipose tissue hypertrophy after Lipostructure in HIV patient with antiretroviral treatment. Case report and literature review]. / Hypertrophie du tissu adipeux après Lipostructure chez un sujet séropositif traité par antirétroviraux. Cas clinique et revue de littérature.

HIV-related facial atrophy is a common complication due to antiretroviral treatment. The social handicap due to this lipodystrophy increase the demand of surgical correction. The usual treatment is the Lipostructure described by Coleman. The hypertrophy is one of the complications which can occur after a correction by Lipostructure. This complication is different from the overcorrection by the free time before his appearance. The treatment by liposuction is possible but there is a high risk of recurrence. The best treatment, after the literature review, seems to be the direct excision.

[From plastic surgery to space conquest. First microsurgical procedure and first surgical procedure in man during weightlessness]. / De la chirurgie plastique à la conquête spatiale. Première microchirurgie et première opération chez l'homme faites en apesanteur.

The authors present their experience of surgery in weightlessness conditions. Russians and Americans already focused on that subject but two questions were still unsolved: what was the limit of human skill in these extreme conditions and was it possible to operate a human under total safety? Between 2003 and 2007, using a 0G plane for our experiment, we focused on two goals: firstly, the conception of a microsurgical module to test complex microsurgical procedures in rats and secondly, the construction of a surgical workstation with specific air filtration device and define surgical and anaesthetic protocols to carry on a surgery in man. In September 2003, we succeeded to perform the microscopic report of a 0,5mm artery (which is the smallest we can suture in terrestrial conditions) by using seven stitches of 10 x 0 monofilament suture. The 27th of September 2007, we removed a lipoma from the forearm of a 47-year-old man. These experiments take place in a wide program of development of telesurgery controlled through satellite transmission with all forthcoming civil, military and humanitarian applications.

Reanimation of thumb extension after upper extremity degloving injury treated with Integra.

A case of severe degloving injury to the left hand with complete destruction of the extensor apparatus of the thumb and exposure of the IP joint is presented. The damaged area was resurfaced with the use of the Integra template and the abductor pollicis longus tendon, lengthened with a tendon graft provided by the extensor indicis, and used to restore thumb extension. The transfer was performed through a prefabricated sheath under the Integra resurfaced area in a two-staged procedure. The final result was functional and aesthetically satisfying.

[A case of iatrogenic scrotal elephantiasis: reconstruction of the scrotal purse and the cutaneous sleeve of the penis with local skin flaps]. / Un Cas D'éléphantiasis Scrotal Iatrogène: Reconstruction de la Bourse Scrotale et de L'étui Cutané de La Verge à l'aide de Lambeaux Cutanés Locaux.

Scrotal elephantiasis is a pathology of often unknown etiology. Symptomatology is characterized by an oedematius infiltration of skin and subcutaneous tissue, hard-bound aspect and purplished color. The scrotum, the penis and the perineal area are gradually affected. This pathology is very invalidating for the patient, on functional, sexual and aesthetic aspects. The authors present the case of a 58-year-old man with an enormous scrotal mass invading the penis and drowning the testicular elements, which were impossible to palpate. The aetiology was determined by exclusion and an iatrogenic origin following the cure of bilateral inguinal hernia was retained. Resection of the scrotal mass was performed. The reconstruction of the scrotal purse and the cutaneous sleeve of the penis were carried out using local flaps of the remaining healthy skin.

[Filling of a lateral pre-malleolar soft tissue defect with the extensor digitorum brevis flap and the abductor digiti minimi flap]. / Comblement d'une perte de substance prémalléolaire latérale à l'aide d'un lambeau du court extenseur des orteils et d'un lambeau de l'abducteur du cinquième orteil.

The authors report the filling of a lateral pre-malleolar soft tissue defect after sub-talar arthrodesis. Four months after surgery the loss of substance measured 2,5 cm in depth, 3 cm diameter at the skin level and 5 cm diameter at the bone level. An autologous tricortical bone graft impacted in the sinus tarsi was also exposed. In this area of the body, soft tissue coverage is difficult because of the lake of local sub-cutaneus tissue and muscle. The authors used two locoregional pedicled flaps: the extensor digitorum brevis flap and the abductor digiti minimi flap. These transfers left a minimum of functional and aesthetic after-effects. The optimal coverage of the exposed structures allowed the patient to walk thirty days after surgery. The way to harvest these flaps, their advantages and disadvantages are detailed.

[Fibular pedicled proximal vascular island flap for distal femoral bone reconstruction. Anatomical study]. / Le lambeau pédiculé en îlot vasculaire proximal de fibula dans la reconstruction distale du fémur. Etude anatomique.

The fibular pedicled proximal vascular island flap for distal femoral bone reconstruction described for the first time by Cariou on 1996, is studied in this article with an anatomical view. This anatomical morphometric study allows to assure the surgeon that this procedure can be done and to precise the surgical technique. The authors showed that, dependent on the length of the lower limb and the level of the fibular artery origin, 10 to 19 cm of femoral bone reconstruction could be done, after 180 degrees flap rotation. The flap can be used, the fibula separated in two parts, for inferior femoral metaphysis reconstruction or for knee joint arthrodesis.