Prenatal diagnosis of meningomyelocele resolves as a mature cystic teratoma in the thoracolumbar region.

A mature cystic teratoma is a mass with heterogeneous appearance, consisting of adult tissue with two or three layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. It is a rare, benign transformation of somatic tissue most commonly found in the sacrococcygeal region and may resemble an uncomplicated spina bifida on prenatal ultrasonography. In this case report, we describe a female newborn with an extremely rare mature cystic teratoma in the thoracolumbar region. She presented prenatally with a preliminary diagnosis of meningomyelocele, diastematomyelia, and Chiari II malformation and a possible teratoma. However, a mass containing solid glandular tissues and bony calcifications approximately 3 × 4 cm in size was observed in the thoracolumbar region upon birth. During surgical resection, no nerve roots were found in the associated meningocele. The patient retained full lower body function postoperatively following surgical excision of the thecal sac and teratoma.

Impact of renal function recovery utilizing left ventricular assist device support.

BACKGROUND: In heart failure (HF) patients with renal insufficiency (RI), we hypothesize that mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) will promote renal function recovery (RR). We sought to quantify RR with LVAD support over 6 months of follow-up. METHODS: RR data at 30, 90, and 180 days were analyzed for all LVAD patients with RI at the time of surgery. RI was defined as either the use of hemodialysis (HD) or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . RESULTS: Between January 2008 and December 2013, 47 of 127 (37%) LVAD recipients had RI at the time of surgery. The mean preoperative GFR was 48 ± 7. We observed RR at each follow-up, with 30-, 90-, and 180-day mean GFRs of 79 ± 33, 71 ± 31, and 63 ± 21, respectively. The absolute increase in GFR at 30, 90, and 180 days was 34 ± 31, 26 ± 29, and 19 ± 20, respectively (All with P < .001). Four patients (8.5%) with RI required HD preoperatively. Of these, three recovered renal function, the fourth patient died. An additional 13 patients (30.2%) that were previously non-HD-dependent required HD postoperatively. Six of these 13 (46%) recovered renal function during the study period, four (30.7%) remain on HD and three (23%) died. CONCLUSIONS: RI improves significantly with LVAD support. Improvements in GFR are marked in the first 30 days. Among those patients requiring either pre- or post-operative HD, a majority recovered renal function.

Assessing Use of Gender Diverse Language in Patient Education Materials on Breast Reconstruction.

Utilizing inclusive terminology in patient education materials is an increasing area of focus in plastic surgery. Over 300,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020, affecting cisgender and gender diverse patients alike. Both cisgender and gender diverse patients may choose to undergo breast reconstruction. This study aims to assess the use of inclusive language in online patient education materials on reconstruction after breast cancer. Methods: Materials were collected from all academic hospitals with a plastic surgery integrated and/or independent residency program, 97 in total. Programs were further classified by the presence of a comprehensive gender program. Materials were analyzed for gender diverse terminology outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. A chi-square test evaluated for statistical significance of inclusive terminology based on the presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program. Results: The majority (75%) of programs referenced cis women alone, with 25% referring to both men and women or using gender neutral terms such as "patients." Although most (85%) programs wrote in second person ("you"), 15% used she/her/hers pronouns alone, and no programs utilized gender diverse language outlined by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. The presence or absence of a comprehensive gender program was not predictive of the use of inclusive terminology (P = 0.32). Conclusions: This study found that only 25% of breast reconstruction materials contained inclusive gender terminology. Plastic surgeons should provide patient education materials with language that supports members of a gender diverse population to facilitate a safe, inclusive space and conversation.

Revising Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

SUMMARY: Prepectoral prosthetic breast reconstruction continues to gain popularity, largely due to its decreased postoperative pain, animation deformity, and operative time as compared to subpectoral reconstruction. Widespread use has led to opportunities for surgical revisions. While some techniques for submuscular reconstruction revisions, such as implant exchange and fat grafting, also apply to prepectoral revisions, others require modification for the prepectoral space. The prosthesis' unique reliance on the mastectomy flaps and acellular dermal matrix for support leads to a progressive alteration of the breast footprint, conus, envelope, and nipple-areola complex position. To date, revisions of prepectoral reconstructions have not been addressed in the literature. This article presents the senior author's (N.P.B.) techniques for (1) revising prepectoral breast reconstructions, including staged and direct-to-implant reconstructions, with a special focus on nipple-sparing reconstruction, and (2) minimizing undesirable outcomes of prepectoral reconstruction.

Invasive stage III breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma successfully treated with incomplete resection.

A woman with history of bilateral breast augmentation 15 years prior presented with right breast swelling, peri-implant effusion and a palpable inferomedial mass. Effusion aspiration demonstrated pleiomorphic cells consistent with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Further diagnostic studies confirmed stage III disease with a 4.7 cm right breast mass and fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in an internal mammary chain lymph node. The patient underwent surgery with incomplete resection due to invasion of the chest wall followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. BIA-ALCL typically presents as an indolent effusion, however advanced disease carries a worse prognosis. This case highlights successful treatment without recurrence past the one-year mark as well as the need for multidisciplinary management when dealing with advanced disease.

Accurate Nipple Areolar Positioning in Nipple-sparing Mastectomy Reconstruction.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy continues to grow in popularity as oncologic indications for preserving the nipple areolar complex have become less stringent and more patients with genetic predispositions to breast cancer seek aesthetically superior prophylactic mastectomy reconstructions. Nonetheless, nipple malposition remains a common and disturbing complication. This article proposes several anatomic variations that predispose to nipple malposition and a strategy to avoid it through a reliable, easily reproducible method of preoperative marking and intraoperative stabilization.

Renal Function Recovery with Total Artificial Heart Support.

Heart failure patients requiring total artificial heart (TAH) support often have concomitant renal insufficiency (RI). We sought to quantify renal function recovery in patients supported with TAH at our institution. Renal function data at 30, 90, and 180 days after TAH implantation were analyzed for patients with RI, defined as hemodialysis supported or an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m. Between January 2008 and December 2013, 20 of the 46 (43.5%) TAH recipients (age 51 ± 9 years, 85% men) had RI, mean preoperative eGFR of 48 ± 7 ml/min/1.73 m. Renal function recovery was noted at each follow-up interval: increment in eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m) at 30, 90, and 180 days was 21 ± 35 (p = 0.1), 16.5 ± 18 (p = 0.05), and 10 ± 9 (p = 0.1), respectively. Six patients (30%) required preoperative dialysis. Of these, four recovered renal function, one remained on dialysis, and one died. Six patients (30%) required new-onset dialysis. Of these, three recovered renal function and three died. Overall, 75% (15 of 20) of patients' renal function improved with TAH support. Total artificial heart support improved renal function in 75% of patients with pre-existing significant RI, including those who required preoperative dialysis.

Outward Currents Contributing to Inspiratory Burst Termination in preBötzinger Complex Neurons of Neonatal Mice Studied in Vitro.

We studied preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) inspiratory interneurons to determine the cellular mechanisms that influence burst termination in a mammalian central pattern generator. Neonatal mouse slice preparations that retain preBötC neurons generate respiratory motor rhythms in vitro. Inspiratory-related bursts rely on inward currents that flux Na(+), thus outward currents coupled to Na(+) accumulation are logical candidates for assisting in, or causing, burst termination. We examined Na(+)/K(+) ATPase electrogenic pump current (I(pump)), Na(+)-dependent K(+) current (I(K-Na)), and ATP-dependent K(+) current (I(K-ATP)). The pharmacological blockade of I(pump), I(K-Na), or I(K-ATP) caused pathological depolarization akin to a burst that cannot terminate, which impeded respiratory rhythm generation and reversibly stopped motor output. By simulating inspiratory bursts with current-step commands in synaptically isolated preBötC neurons, we determined that each current generates approximately 3-8 mV of transient post-burst hyperpolarization that decays in 50-1600 ms. I(pump), I(K-Na), and - to a lesser extent - I(K-ATP) contribute to terminating inspiratory bursts in the context of respiratory rhythm generation by responding to activity dependent cues such as Na(+) accumulation.