Strangulated Indirect Inguinal Hernia-Containing Bladder: A Case Report.

Inguinal hernias involving the bladder are exceedingly rare and pose a diagnostic challenge. Identifying bladder involvement within an inguinal hernia is imperative to avoid iatrogenic bladder injuries and subsequent complications. Here we discuss a case of inguinal bladder herniation and bladder visualization using methylene blue dye intraoperatively. We present a case of a 45-year-old male who presented with a six-hour history of dysuria and a painful non-reducible right-sided groin mass that had previously been reducible for 17 years. Computed tomography demonstrated an irreducible indirect inguinal hernia-containing bladder. Open Lichtenstein repair was performed, and intraoperative methylene blue-dyed saline successfully identified the herniated bladder, preventing iatrogenic bladder injury. This case report demonstrates the importance of preoperative imaging and intraoperative visualization for the prevention of complications in a rare occurrence of a strangulated indirect inguinal hernia-containing bladder.

Current concepts: the hip, core and kinetic chain in the overhead athlete.

BACKGROUND: As overhead sports continue to grow in popularity, there has been increased interest in optimizing sports performance and injury prevention in these athletes. The hip, core, and kinetic chain have become a focus of research in recent decades, and their importance in upper extremity mechanics is now being recognized. METHODS: An extensive review was carried out to identify papers correlating the hip, core and/or kinetic chain in overhead athletic performance and injury. RESULTS: Recent literature has shown that efficiency and synchrony of the hips and core during an overhead movement (such as in baseball, golf, tennis, or volleyball) is essential for a powerful and precise execution of the task. Impairments of the hip and core, particularly abnormal joint mobility or weakness, can limit efficient energy transfer through the kinetic chain and may negatively impact performance. Recent epidemiologic studies have found hip pain to be common in adolescent, collegiate, and adult athletes. Moreover, hip pain in overhead athletes specifically has also been found to occur at a high rate. Abnormalities in hip range of motion, hip morphology, and core strength can lead to abnormal mechanics upstream in the kinetic chain, which may place athletes at risk of injuries. CONCLUSION: In this review, the complex and multifaceted relationship between the hip, core, and kinetic chain is highlighted with an emphasis on recent literature and relevant findings.

Return to Driving After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for return to driving after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have not been established. PURPOSE: To review the literature pertaining to driving after ACLR and provide evidence-based guidelines to aid clinicians in counseling patients about driving after ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using the terms anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, drive, and driving. Studies reporting on functional recovery after ACLR were included when data regarding return to driving were reported. RESULTS: Five studies were included. Two studies included patients who underwent right-sided ACLR. Of these, 1 study evaluated bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft and reported that brake response time (BRT) returned to normal approximately 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. The other study found that BRT returned to normal 3 weeks after allograft ACLR, but 6 weeks elapsed after autograft ACLR before values were not significantly different than controls. One study reported that patients who underwent left-sided hamstring tendon autograft ACLR demonstrated BRTs similar to controls within 2 weeks, while those with right-sided ACLR had significantly slower BRTs until 6 weeks postoperatively. Another study including patients who underwent either right- or left-sided ACLR and employed a manual transmission simulator found that 4 to 6 weeks should elapse after ACLR with hamstring tendon autograft. Survey data from 1 study demonstrated that the mean time for patients to resume driving was 13 and 10 days after right- and left-sided ACLR, respectively. CONCLUSION: BRT returned to normal values approximately 4 to 6 weeks after right-sided ACLR and approximately 2 to 3 weeks after left-sided ACLR. According to 1 study in this review, ACLR laterality should be disregarded for patients who drive manual transmission automobiles, as a 4- to 6-week time period was required for driving ability to reach the level of healthy controls. Future studies should aim to elucidate the influence of graft choice and transmission type on return to driving after ACLR.

Trends in the Treatment of Biceps Pathology: An Analysis of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Database.

BACKGROUND: Long head of biceps tendon pathology is a well-described source of pain in the anterior adult shoulder. Shoulder arthroscopic surgeons face this condition on a frequent basis because of the increasing aging population. Trends in treatment for this condition have varied over recent decades. An understanding of these trends may help orthopaedic surgeons counsel these patients. PURPOSE: To evaluate trends in treatment selection, patient population, and complications in recent part II examinees of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) board examination. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Using a database maintained by the ABOS, we accessed and analyzed examinee data from 2008 to 2019 to evaluate trends in the following categories: examination year/subspecialty, region, patient age/sex, International Classification of Diseases code, Current Procedural Terminology code, and complications. These data points were analyzed for all board-eligible candidates from 2008 to 2019. RESULTS: The annual number of proximal biceps tendon (PBT) procedures performed increased significantly from 597 cases in 2008 to 2203 cases in 2019 (P < .001). Incidence of biceps tendon tenotomy significantly decreased between the years 2007 and 2018 (P < .001). Both open and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis significantly increased between 2007 and 2018 (P < .001). Most PBT cases were performed simultaneously with other procedures (17,283/17,861; 96.8%). The most common PBT procedure performed overall was open tenodesis of long tendon of biceps (∼60.8%). Complication rates for PBT procedures reported each year did not significantly change between 2007 and 2018 (7.5% vs 9.7%; P = .103). CONCLUSION: PBT procedures are being increasingly performed among recently trained orthopaedic surgeons. Proximal biceps tenotomy has significantly declined, whereas proximal biceps tenodesis, open or arthroscopic, has significantly increased, demonstrating a possible shift in the standard of care among new surgeons.

Patient-Derived Xenografts as an Innovative Surrogate Tumor Model for the Investigation of Health Disparities in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Despite a decline in overall incidence rates for cancer in the past decade, due in part to impressive advancements in both diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer (BC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. BC alone accounts for ∼30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women worldwide. Triple-negative BC (TNBC), defined as having no expression of the estrogen or progesterone receptors and no amplification of the HER2 receptor, is a subtype of BC that does not benefit from the use of estrogen receptor-targeting or HER2-targeting therapies. Differences in socioeconomic factors and cell intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics have been demonstrated in Black and White TNBC patient tumors. The emergence of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a surrogate, translational, and functional representation of the patient with TNBC has led to the advances in drug discovery and testing of novel targeted approaches and combination therapies. However, current established TNBC PDX models fail to represent the diverse patient population and, most importantly, the specific ethnic patient populations that have higher rates of incidence and mortality. The primary aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of using clinically relevant translatable tumor models that reflect TNBC human tumor biology and heterogeneity in high-risk patient populations. The focus is to highlight the complexity of BC as it specifically relates to the management of TNBC in Black women. We discuss the importance of utilizing PDX models to study the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the distinct differences in ECM composition and biophysical properties in Black and White women. Finally, we demonstrate the crucial importance of PDX models toward novel drug discovery in this patient population.

Drug resistance profiling of a new triple negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft model.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents an aggressive subtype with limited therapeutic options. Experimental preclinical models that recapitulate their tumors of origin can accelerate target identification, thereby potentially improving therapeutic efficacy. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), due to their genomic and transcriptomic fidelity to the tumors from which they are derived, are poised to improve the preclinical testing of drug-target combinations in translational models. Despite the previous development of breast and TNBC PDX models, those derived from patients with demonstrated health-disparities are lacking. METHODS: We use an aggressive TNBC PDX model propagated in SCID/Beige mice that was established from an African-American woman, TU-BcX-2 K1, and assess its metastatic potential and drug sensitivities under distinct in vitro conditions. Cellular derivatives of the primary tumor or the PDX were grown in 2D culture conditions or grown in mammospheres 3D culture. Flow cytometry and fluorescence staining was used to quantify cancer stem cell-like populations. qRT-PCR was used to describe the mesenchymal gene signature of the tumor. The sensitivity of TU-BcX-2 K1-derived cells to anti-neoplastic oncology drugs was compared in adherent cells and mammospheres. Drug response was evaluated using a live/dead staining kit and crystal violet staining. RESULTS: TU-BcX-2 K1 has a low propensity for metastasis, reflects a mesenchymal state, and contains a large burden of cancer stem cells. We show that TU-BcX-2 K1 cells have differential responses to cytotoxic and targeted therapies in 2D compared to 3D culture conditions insofar as several drug classes conferred sensitivity in 2D but not in 3D culture, or cells grown as mammospheres. CONCLUSIONS: Here we introduce a new TNBC PDX model and demonstrate the differences in evaluating drug sensitivity in adherent cells compared to mammosphere, or suspension, culture.

A novel patient-derived xenograft model for claudin-low triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes are clinically aggressive and cannot be treated with targeted therapeutics commonly used in other breast cancer subtypes. The claudin-low (CL) molecular subtype of TNBC has high rates of metastases, chemoresistance and recurrence. There exists an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets in TNBC; however, existing models utilized in target discovery research are limited. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have emerged as superior models for target discovery experiments because they recapitulate features of patient tumors that are limited by cell-line derived xenograft methods. METHODS: We utilize immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western Blot to visualize tumor architecture, cellular composition, genomic and protein expressions of a new CL-TNBC PDX model (TU-BcX-2O0). We utilize tissue decellularization techniques to examine extracellular matrix composition of TU-BcX-2O0. RESULTS: Our laboratory successfully established a TNBC PDX tumor, TU-BCX-2O0, which represents a CL-TNBC subtype and maintains this phenotype throughout subsequent passaging. We dissected TU-BCx-2O0 to examine aspects of this complex tumor that can be targeted by developing therapeutics, including the whole and intact breast tumor, specific cell populations within the tumor, and the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we characterize a claudin-low TNBC patient-derived xenograft model that can be utilized for therapeutic research studies.

Erythrocytosis and Polycythemia Secondary to Testosterone Replacement Therapy in the Aging Male.

INTRODUCTION: Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for hypogonadism in aging males. Men with low to low-normal levels of testosterone have documented benefit from hormone replacement. Recent meta-analyses have revealed that increases in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) are the variants most commonly encountered. Clinically, this response is described as erythrocytosis or polycythemia secondary to TRT. However, the recent Food and Drug Administration warning regarding the risk for venothromboembolism (VTE) has made the increases in Hb and Hct of more pertinent concern. The risks associated with androgen replacement need further examination. AIM: To review the available literature on erythrocytosis and polycythemia secondary to TRT. To discuss potential etiologies for this response, the role it plays in risk for VTE, and recommendations for considering treatment in at-risk populations. METHODS: A literature review was performed through PubMed regarding TRT and erythrocytosis and polycythemia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess the mechanisms of TRT-induced erythrocytosis and polycythemia with regard to basic science, pharmacologic preparation, and route of delivery. To review Hct and risk for thrombotic events. To offer clinical suggestions for therapy in patients at risk for veno-thrombotic events. RESULTS: Men undergoing TRT have a 315% greater risk for developing erythrocytosis (defined as Hct > 0.52) when compared with control. Mechanisms involving iron bioavailability, erythropoietin production, and bone marrow stimulation have been postulated to explain the erythrogenic effect of TRT. The association between TRT-induced erythrocytosis and subsequent risk for VTE remains inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: All TRT formulations cause increases in Hb and Hct, but injectables tend to produce the greatest effect. The evidence regarding the risk for VTE with increased Hct is inconclusive. For patients with risk factors for veno-thrombotic events, formulations that provide the smallest effect on blood parameters hypothetically provide the safest option. Further trials are needed to fully evaluate the hematological side effects associated with TRT. Jones SD Jr, Dukovac T, Sangkum P, Yafi FA, and Hellstrom WJG. Erythrocytosis and polycythemia secondary to testosterone replacement therapy in the aging male. Sex Med Rev 2015;3:101-112.

A comparison of clinical and pathologic assessments for the prediction of occult nipple involvement in nipple-sparing mastectomies.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) for both risk reduction and cancer is increasing. In the cancer setting, most studies suggest the use of both clinical and intraoperative biopsy criteria in patient selection. This study examines the use of both biopsy and clinical criteria in women undergoing total nipple-removing mastectomy. METHODS: The study consisted of 58 patients undergoing total mastectomy without nipple sparing. Biopsies of the subareola tissue (SA), proximal nipple (NC) contents and radial sections of the residual nipple (NR) were examined microscopically. Tumor size and distance from the nipple were also noted. RESULTS: Using clinical criteria alone, the false negative rate was 53.8% and a false positive rate of 44.4%. When adding subareola and nipple core biopsies to clinical criteria the false negative rate fell to 7.7% but the false positive rate remained at 44.4%. When using only SA and NC biopsies to predict occult nipple involvement, the false negative rate was 11.8%. In 4 cases the NC was positive while the SA was negative for cancer and in 6 cases the SA was positive and NC negative. In 2 cases both the NC and SA biopsies were negative while the NR was positive. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a more limited role in the use of clinical criteria for evaluating patients for NSM. This maximizes the number of patients who are candidates for NSM with minimal risk of nipple involvement. It was also noted that intraoperative biopsies are not totally reliable in predicting occult nipple involvement.

Early-onset breast cancer in a woman with Graves' disease.

The relationship between thyroid and breast diseases has been documented, but the clinical significance of Graves' disease and breast cancer is unclear. We present a young patient with a history of Graves' disease who developed a multicentric infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast several months after discontinuing her treatment with propylthiouracil. Early-onset breast cancer in women without a family history of early breast cancer may be related to hyperthyroidism. The relationship between thyroid hormone and estrogen is discussed.

Early-onset breast disease: case of a Grave condition with a favorable prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between thyroid and breast diseases has been well documented, but the clinical impact of Graves' disease on breast tissue is not clear. PATIENT FINDINGS: Twenty-seven year-old African American female patient who presented with multiple bilateral breast masses and skin thickening and ulcerations. Biopsy of the breast masses demonstrated fat necrosis. During her initial evaluation, she was found to be hyperthyroid and was ultimately diagnosed with Graves' disease. Her abnormal breast changes resolved within several months of her medical treatment for Graves' disease. SUMMARY: Graves' disease may present with acute-onset breast changes without personal history of trauma or family history of breast abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between thyroid and estrogen hormones should be studied further to determine their exact clinical and pathologic implications. Medical or surgical management of Graves' disease may reverse associated pathologic breast changes.