Humor in radiological breast cancer screening: a way of improving patient service?

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer screening is essential in detecting breast tumors, however, the examination is stressful. In this study we analyzed whether humor enhances patient satisfaction. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study 226 patients undergoing routine breast cancer screening at a single center during October 2020 to July 2021 were included. One hundred thirty-two were eligible for the study. Group 1 (66 patients) received an examination with humorous intervention, group 2 (66 patients) had a standard breast examination. In the humor group, the regular business card was replaced by a self-painted, humorous business card, which was handed to the patient at the beginning of the examination. Afterwards, patients were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. Scores between the two study groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. P-values were adjusted with the Holm's method. Two-sided p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two patients, 131 female and 1 male, (mean age 59 ± 10.6 years) remained in the final study cohort. Patients in the humor group remembered the radiologist's name better (85%/30%, P < .001), appreciated the final discussion with the radiologist more (4.67 ± 0.73-5;[5, 5] vs. 4.24 ± 1.1-5;[4, 5], P = .017), felt the radiologist was more empathetic (4.94 ± 0.24-5;[5, 5] vs.4.59 ± 0.64-5;[4, 5], P < .001), and rated him as a humorous doctor (4.91 ± 0.29-5;[5, 5] vs. 2.26 ± 1.43-1;[1, 4], P < .001). Additionally, patients in the humor group tended to experience less anxiety (p = 0.166) and felt the doctor was more competent (p = 0.094). CONCLUSION: Humor during routine breast examinations may improve patient-radiologist relationship because the radiologist is considered more empathetic and competent, patients recall the radiologist's name more easily, and value the final discussion more. TRIAL REGISTRATION: We have a general approval from our ethics committee because it is a retrospective survey, the patient lists for the doctors were anonymized and it is a qualitative study, since the clinical processes are part of the daily routine examinations and are used independently of the study. The patients have given their consent to this study and survey.

In vivo 3D tomography of the lumbar spine using a twin robotic X-ray system: quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the lumbar neural foramina in supine and upright position.

OBJECTIVES: Supine lumbar spine examinations underestimate body weight effects on neuroforaminal size. Therefore, our purpose was to evaluate size changes of the lumbar neuroforamina using supine and upright 3D tomography and to initially assess image quality compared with computed tomography (CT). METHODS: The lumbar spines were prospectively scanned in 48 patients in upright (3D tomographic twin robotic X-ray) and supine (30 with 3D tomography, 18 with CT) position. Cross-sectional area (CSA), cranio-caudal (CC), and ventro-dorsal (VD) diameters of foramina were measured by two readers and additionally graded in relation to the intervertebral disc height. Visibility of bone/soft tissue structures and image quality were assessed independently on a 5-point Likert scale for the 18 patients scanned with both modalities. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test (p < 0.05), and interreader reliability were calculated. RESULTS: Neuroforaminal size significantly decreased at all levels for both readers from the supine (normal intervertebral disc height; CSA 1.25 ± 0.32 cm2; CC 1.84 ± 0.24 cm2; VD 0.88 ± 0.16 cm2) to upright position (CSA 1.12 ± 0.34 cm2; CC 1.78 ± 0.24 cm2; VD 0.83 ± 0.16 cm2; each p < 0.001). Decrease in intervertebral disc height correlated with decrease in foraminal size (supine: CSA 0.88 ± 0.34 cm2; CC 1.39 ± 0.33 cm2; VD 0.87 ± 0.26 cm2; upright: CSA 0.83 ± 0.37 cm2, p = 0.010; CC 1.32 ± 0.33 cm2, p = 0.015; VD 0.80 ± 0.21 cm2, p = 0.021). Interreader reliability for area was fair to excellent (0.51-0.89) with a wide range for cranio-caudal (0.32-0.74) and ventro-dorsal (0.03-0.70) distances. Image quality was superior for CT compared with that for 3D tomography (p < 0.001; κ, CT = 0.66-0.92/3D tomography = 0.51-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The size of the lumbar foramina is smaller in the upright weight-bearing position compared with that in the supine position. Image quality, especially nerve root delineation, is inferior using 3D tomography compared to CT. KEY POINTS: • Weight-bearing examination demonstrates a decrease of the neuroforaminal size. • Patients with higher decrease in intervertebral disc showed a narrower foraminal size. • Image quality is superior with CT compared to 3D tomographic twin robotic X-ray at the lumbar spine.

From Bedside to Bench: The Effect of Muscular Denervation on Fat Grafting to the Breast by Comparing Take Rate, Quality, and Longevity.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) to the breast is a frequent procedure in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Despite pure volume gain, questions remain regarding the engraftment rate, quality, and longevity. Little is known about the role of recipient tissue or innervation of the grafted area. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the optimal recipient layer and muscular pretreatment of AFG. METHODS: Fat was grafted to the breast, pectoralis muscle, or adjacent subcutaneous tissue of 42 rats. Nerve treatment included excision of a nerve segment, botulinum toxin (BTX) injection, or no treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological workup were carried out after 2 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Six weeks after AFG, the proportion of viable fat cells within the grafted fat stayed high (median, [IQR]: 81% [72% to 85%]). The signs of inflammation decreased over time. Intramuscular grafting with intact nerves had a decreasing effect on the viability of the grafted cells compared with subcutaneous treatment (-10.21%; 95% confidence interval [-21.1 to 0.68]). CONCLUSIONS: If utilized on an intact nerve, intramuscular injection may lead to inferior results. If the nerve was cut or treated with BTX; however, intramuscular injection tends to be superior. These findings may prove interesting for future studies and eventual clinical application.

Characterization of subchondral bone histopathology of facet joint osteoarthritis in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Facet joint osteoarthritis may be a cause of low back pain in degenerative spine diseases including lumbar spinal stenosis. Subchondral bone is regarded as a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis treatment. The goal of this study was to characterize subchondral bone histopathology in osteoarthritic facet joints from lumbar spinal stenosis patients. Fifteen patients with degenerative spinal stenosis scheduled for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery were recruited for this study. Osteoarthritis severity was graded on T1- and T2-weighted MRI images using Weishaupt scoring system. Dissected osteoarthritic facet joints were subjected to histological and immunohistochemistry analyses to study relative abundance of osteoblast, osteoclasts, and macrophages using van Gieson's, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and CD68-antibody staining, respectively. Presence of nerve fibers was evaluated by PGP9.5-antibody staining. Differential bone histopathology, independent from radiological osteoarthritis grade, was observed in facet joints. Extensive de novo bone formation was found in subchondral bone tissues of eight of fifteen specimens. Regions of bone formation showed high abundance of blood vessels and CD68-positive macrophages, but were devoid of multinucleated osteoclasts. Additional pathological changes in subchondral marrow spaces, including inflammatory infiltration and enhanced osteoclast activity, were characterized by macrophage-rich tissues. PGP9.5-positive nerve fibers were detected near arterioles, but not in regions displaying bone pathology. Individual histopathological parameters did not associate with clinical features or radiological osteoarthritis severity. Subchondral bone histopathology of facet joint osteoarthritis in lumbar spinal stenosis is characterized by marrow infiltration by macrophage-rich tissues and enhanced de novo bone formation. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1475-1480, 2016.