The associations of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics with time to fall in older adults with colorectal cancer.

Our purpose was to investigate the associations between falls and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN), sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics of older patients with colorectal cancer. The study population consisted of older adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer whose data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database combined with Medicare claims. We defined OIPN using specific (OIPN 1) and broader (OIPN 2) definitions of OIPN, based on diagnosis codes. Extensions of the Cox regression model to accommodate repeated events were used to obtain overall hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs and the cumulative hazard of fall. The unadjusted risk of fall for colorectal cancer survivors with versus without OIPN 1 at 36 months of follow-up was 19.6% versus 14.3%, respectively. The association of OIPN with time to fall was moderate (for OIPN 1, HR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04-1.79) to small (for OIPN 2, HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.53). Memantine, opioids, cannabinoids, prior history of fall, female sex, advanced age and disease stage, chronic liver disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease all increased the hazard rate of falling. Incorporating fall prevention in cancer care is essential to minimize morbidity and mortality of this serious event in older survivors of colorectal cancer.

A large urachal cyst presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms and a falsely elevated post-void residual on bladder scan.

The urachus is an embryologic remnant that connects the bladder to the umbilicus and typically obliterates during gestation. Urachal cysts are one of the most common congenital urachal anomalies. Urachal cysts may be found incidentally on imaging or present as a palpable mass with abdominal pain and fever. We present a case of a young male with a urachal cyst who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms and a falsely elevated post void residual (PVR) volume on bladder scan. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of a large urachal cyst and highlights the limitations of bladder scanner post-void residual determination.