Predictors of Length of Hospital Stay After Reduction of Internal Hernia in Patients With a History of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative internal hernias after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have an incidence of 2%-9% and are a surgical emergency. Evidence on factors associated with length of stay (LOS) after emergent internal hernia reduction in RYGB patients is limited. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent internal hernia reduction after RYGB at our tertiary care center over a 5 year period from 2015 to 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and intra- and postoperative hospital course were collected. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to investigate factors associated with LOS. RESULTS: We identified 38 patients with internal hernia after RYGB. These patients with mean age 44.1 years were majority female (71.1%) and white race (60.5%). Of the 24 patients where the RYGB was done at our institution, the mean RYGB to IH interval was 43 months. Petersen's defect (57.8%) followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect (31.6%) were the most common locations for IH. Both Petersen's and jejuno-jejunal mesenteric hernias were found in 4 cases (10.5%). Revision of bypass and small bowel resection were required in 13.2% and 5.3% of cases, respectively. The median (interquartile range) length of stay (LOS) was 2 days. On the multivariate analysis, male sex (P = .019), conversion to exploratory laparotomy (P = .005), and resection of small bowel (P < .001) were independent risk factors for increased LOS. CONCLUSION: The most common location of IH after RYGB is Petersen's defect, followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect. LOS was significantly associated with male sex, exploratory laparotomy, and resection of small bowel.

Integrating [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography with Radiation Therapy and Immunomodulation in Precision Therapy for Solid Tumors.

[18F]-FDG positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is widely used to enhance the quality of care in patients diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, it holds the potential to offer insight into the synergic effect of combining radiation therapy (RT) with immuno-oncological (IO) agents. This is achieved by evaluating treatment responses both at the RT and distant tumor sites, thereby encompassing the phenomenon known as the abscopal effect. In this context, PET/CT can play an important role in establishing timelines for RT/IO administration and monitoring responses, including novel patterns such as hyperprogression, oligoprogression, and pseudoprogression, as well as immune-related adverse events. In this commentary, we explore the incremental value of PET/CT to enhance the combination of RT with IO in precision therapy for solid tumors, by offering supplementary insights to recently released joint guidelines.

Advances in PET/CT Imaging for Breast Cancer.

One out of eight women will be affected by breast cancer during her lifetime. Imaging plays a key role in breast cancer detection and management, providing physicians with information about tumor location, heterogeneity, and dissemination. In this review, we describe the latest advances in PET/CT imaging of breast cancer, including novel applications of 18F-FDG PET/CT and the development and testing of new agents for primary and metastatic breast tumor imaging and therapy. Ultimately, these radiopharmaceuticals may guide personalized approaches to optimize treatment based on the patient's specific tumor profile, and may become a new standard of care. In addition, they may enhance the assessment of treatment efficacy and lead to improved outcomes for patients with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Hepatic Uveal Melanoma Metastases.

Uveal melanoma is one of the most common primary intraocular malignancies that accounts for about 85% of all ocular melanomas. The pathophysiology of uveal melanoma is distinct from cutaneous melanoma and has separate tumor profiles. The management of uveal melanoma is largely dependent on the presence of metastases, which confers a poor prognosis with a one-year survival reaching only 15%. Although a better understanding of tumor biology has led to the development of novel pharmacologic agents, there is increasing demand for minimally invasive management of hepatic uveal melanoma metastases. Multiple studies have already summarized the systemic therapeutic options available for metastatic uveal melanoma. This review covers the current research for the most prevalent locoregional treatment options for metastatic uveal melanoma including percutaneous hepatic perfusion, immunoembolization, chemoembolization, thermal ablation, and radioembolization.

Interventional Management of Painful Vertebral Body Metastases.

Management of osseous metastatic disease has advanced over the years with the advent of ablation and interventional technologies. Painful metastatic vertebral body lesions have been particularly studied in the recent years, as open surgery is usually reserved for emergent cord compression. Minimally invasive options in managing these lesions include percutaneous vertebral augmentation, percutaneous ablation, and embolization. This article will include an overview of these procedures including the most recent literature.

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted. CONCLUSION: Although significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive Procedures to Treat Knee Pain Secondary to Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To review and indirectly compare the outcomes of genicular artery embolization (GAE), radiofrequency (RF) ablation, and intra-articular (IA) injection for the treatment of knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review of the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases was conducted with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement in June 2020. The visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded at baseline and at all available time points for each therapy. Standard mean differences were calculated at each time point and compared between treatments to assess the magnitude of the treatment effect. RESULTS: All 3 treatments demonstrated significant differences in VAS scores after therapy. RF ablation produced the greatest significant mean reduction in relative VAS score from baseline at 1 year of follow-up (mean, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.59; P = .03). GAE reported the most significant reductions in VAS scores across all measured time points. Overall, the comparison did not demonstrate a significant difference in VAS scores among patients receiving IA injections, RF ablation, and GAE. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence does not suggest a significant difference in outcomes among IA injection, RF ablation, and GAE for knee pain secondary to OA.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis from peritoneal carcinomatosis.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose as it may mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis, which has similar symptomatology. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis versus peritoneal carcinomatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The associations of radiological findings in 124 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (n = 55) or tuberculosis (n = 69) were determined using Chi-square test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and total diagnostic accuracy of CT imaging, with histopathology as gold standard, was determined. Subgroup analyses to determine these parameters by age (>40 years and ≤40 years) and gender (male and female) were performed. RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 44.1 ± 13.2 years with 61 males (49.2%) and 63 females (50.8%). The most common radiological abnormality in both peritoneal carcinomatosis (90.9%) and peritoneal tuberculosis (89.9%) was omental smudging, followed by presence of extraperitoneal mass (81.8%) in carcinomatosis and presence of micro-nodules in tuberculosis (88.4%). The findings significantly different in both the carcinomatosis and tuberculosis groups were high-density ascites, splenic calcification, splenomegaly, lymph node calcifications, micro-nodules, and macro-nodules. The diagnostic accuracy of CT in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis from peritoneal carcinomatosis was 83.8%; sensitivity and specificity for peritoneal tuberculosis were 88.4% and 78.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of CT in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis from peritoneal carcinomatosis revealed an overall diagnostic accuracy of 83.8%. Subgroup analysis revealed that CT may be a more specific diagnostic tool to predict peritoneal tuberculosis in female patients and in those over 40 years old.

Quantitative Prediction of the Location of Carotid Bifurcation and Neurovascular Structures in the Carotid Region: A Cross-Sectional Cadaveric Study.

INTRODUCTION: The carotid region is encountered in vascular and neurological surgery and carries a potential for vascular and cranial nerve trauma. The carotid bifurcation is an especially important landmark and difficult to predict based on currently established landmarks. This study is a detailed analysis of the carotid region and proposes a novel methodology to predict the height of the bifurcation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Superficial and deep dissections were performed on the anterior triangle of the neck to expose the carotid region in twenty-one formalin-fixed donor cadavers. Musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures were assessed in relation to the carotid bifurcation and the medial border of the clavicle (MBC). RESULTS: The carotid bifurcation occurred, on average, 11.4 mm higher on the left (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 9.28, 13.54). The superior thyroid artery (p < 0.001), facial vein (p < 0.001), and cranial nerve XII (p < 0.001) were all more distal on the left side when measured from the MBC while the angle of the mandible and stylohyoid muscle remained symmetric. Left- and right-sided vascular structures were symmetric when measured from the carotid bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS: Neurovascular structures within the carotid region are likely to be anatomically superior on the left side while vessels are likely to remain symmetric in relation to the carotid bifurcation. When measured from the MBC, the bifurcation height can be predicted by multiplying the distance between the MBC and mastoid process by 0.65 (right side) or 0.74 (left side). This novel methodological estimation may be easily learned and directly implemented in clinical practice.

Herniation Through Defects in the Broad Ligament.

BACKGROUND: We sought to assess hernia characteristics and classification through comprehensive review of the literature involving broad ligament herniation. METHODS: A literature search via MEDLINE and Embase databases was conducted to identify and select broad ligament herniation studies published between January 1, 2000 and September 30, 2020. Extracted data included previous surgical history, previous obstetric history, diagnostic imaging, herniated organ, hernia classification, and repair performed. The reported data has been compared to a unique case of broad ligament herniation that presented to our institution. RESULTS: A total of 44 articles with 49 cases were identified for the study. Eighteen (36.7%) patients had a history of previous abdominal surgery while 29 (59.2%) had a history of previous childbirth. Type I (51.0%) and Type II (18.4%) defects were most commonly reported with most patients reporting only one defect (85.7%) using the Cilley classification. Twenty-nine patients underwent primary laparoscopic repair of the defect while 19 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of previously reported cases adds to the limited literature on broad ligament hernias and highlights the surgical management of this uncommon pathology. It also highlights the need for a broad differential diagnosis when female patients present with pelvic pain or symptoms of small bowel obstruction. The broad ligament should be fully inspected when mesenteric defects are suspected as multiple defects can be present as evidenced by the attached case study.

Diffuse Paget's Disease of the Skull with Intense Uptake of Technetium-99m-Labeled Diphosphonate Tracer in Bone Scintigraphy.

Imaging in patients with Paget's disease of bone is very important clinically to show the presence of Pagetic abnormalities, assess disease progression, and identify adversely affected structures throughout disease course. Abnormalities and progression may be seen on radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear imaging. Herein, we report a case Paget's disease of bone showing diffuse characteristic pathology using technetium-99m-labelled diphosphonate tracer in bone scintigraphy (nuclear imaging). This case emphasizes the ability of nuclear imaging to rapidly visualize and assess progressive distribution of Pagetic involvement in a patient previously diagnosed with pituitary adenoma and mild Paget's disease of the skull.

Adnexal carcinoma of the scalp: aggressive sebaceous differentiation with invasion of the orbital wall and thoracic vertebra.

Tumors of the scalp are characterized by a heterogeneous clinical spectrum with site-specific features. A wide variety of tumors that arise in the scalp include neoplasms, hamartomas, malformations, and both benign and malignant cysts. Most scalp tumors are benign (98-99%) with only an estimated 1-2% of diagnosed cases reported as being malignant. Of these, adnexal carcinoma is reported in less than 1% of cases. Herein, we report a 65-year-old woman who presented with pain and numbness in her hands with past medical history significant only for a chronic posterior head mass that had never received workup. Computerized topography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and local biopsy demonstrated a large, pedunculated malignant occipital mass that had metastasized to the orbital walls and cervical spine. To our knowledge, this is the largest sebaceous carcinoma to be reported occurring in the scalp. The present case emphasizes the need for older patients with benign scalp lesions to be closely monitored with frequent CT scans for signs of malignant transformation. Furthermore, it is important to diagnose malignant scalp tumors early as they tend to metastasize and cause diffuse symptomatology, which may ultimately result in increased patient mortality.

When a stuffy nose won't go away: Rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as adenoiditis.

Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal proliferation of immature skeletal muscle and may arise in children in the orbit, middle ear, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or nasopharynx. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult in a subset of patients who have no significant deformities or irregularities upon visual inspection of the oropharynx. Rhabdomyosarcoma in this setting may be mistaken for a more common underlying etiology such as an upper respiratory infection. We report a case of a 7-year-old male with embryonal variant rhabdomyosarcoma previously misdiagnosed by 3 different physicians to be adenoiditis based on clinical exam and laryngoscopy. This case highlights the capacity for rhabdomyosarcoma to mimic commonly encountered adenoiditis. It also serves as a reminder to maintain a high level of diagnostic vigilance and clinical suspicion of noninfectious etiologies when symptoms persist and are refractory to standard treatment.

Isosulfan Blue and Anaphylaxis.

Background: Isosulfan blue dye, or Lymphazurin, is commonly used for sentinel lymph node biopsy during operative procedures for patients with breast cancer. Allergic reactions to Lymphazurin have been reported, ranging from mild dermatologic reactions to severe anaphylaxis. Case Series: We report 2 patients who experienced allergic reaction to Lymphazurin while admitted to our service. We also conducted a literature search for similar cases using national databases. Included studies were limited to retrospective studies, case series, or case reports. Patient characteristics, reaction observed, and hospital course were extracted. Of the patients we report, both had grade 3 anaphylactic reactions requiring vasopressors to achieve hemodynamic stability. One patient required intensive care unit monitoring for 18 hours, and the other required overnight monitoring in the postanesthesia care unit. The literature revealed 29 studies reporting 108 patients with confirmed allergic reactions to Lymphazurin. Including the 2 patients in this series (total study n=110), most reactions were grade 3 (57/110, 51.8%), followed by grade 1 (40/110, 36.4%) and grade 2 (13/110, 11.8%). Among the patients who had individual hospital course reported (n=34), 23 patients required admission to the surgical intensive care unit. Of studies that reported cancellation or progression of surgery after the reaction, the surgical procedure was canceled for 12 of 26 patients (46.1%). Conclusion: Although severe anaphylactic reactions are more commonly reported, mild reactions occur more frequently but are likely underreported. Although no fatalities were reported in the cases included in this review, anaphylactic reactions to Lymphazurin pose significant risks. Operating room personnel should be familiar with potential reactions to recognize and treat them early.

Non-neoplastic Disease Outside the Spine-Genicular Artery Embolization and Adhesive Capsulitis Embolization.

Initial research into the treatment of pain secondary to knee osteoarthritis and shoulder adhesive capsulitis with embolization have yielded promising results. With further investigation, embolization may become a mainstay of treatment for pain from these two conditions.

Gliomatosis cerebri mimicking diffuse demyelinating disease: Case Report.

Gliomatosis Cerebri (GC) is a rareand rapidly progressive pattern of growth of diffusely infiltrating gliomas with limited treatment options. Imaging findings are usually nonspecific and can mimic other neurologic disorders, including demyelination, encephalitis, and multicentric/multifocal glioma. In this report, we describe a case of a 53-year-old female who presented with left hemiparesis, global headache, and gait ataxia with imaging features initially thought to represent demyelinating disease. A combination of conventional and advanced imaging findings with brain biopsy was utilized to make the diagnosis of GC. In patients with widespread abnormalities on brain imaging, GC should strongly be considered when cortical expansion, involvement of the septum pellucidum and elevated myoinositol levels are observed and the clinical and laboratory findings are atypical for demyelination or infection. Considering GC in such cases can facilitate early biopsy with prompt diagnosis and avoid delay in appropriate treatment.

Pineal glioblastoma: Case report and literature review of an exceedingly rare etiology for pineal region mass.

Pineal glioblastoma is an exceedingly rare potential etiology for a pineal region mass. The presentation, imaging appearance, and changes in treatment have been documented in a select number of cases since its first description in 1954. Through these cases, changes in treatment have shown to improve outcomes in select patients, some of which have had survival times over two or three years. We present a case of a 39 year old female with biopsy proven pineal glioblastoma who demonstrates improvement on imaging and survival >12 months after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Our case and the prior reported cases enable future research into improving treatment, classification, and imaging recognition for this unlikely disease.

Streptococcus Oralis meningitis from right sphenoid Meningoencephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid leak.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus oralis belongs to the Streptococcus mitis group and is part of the normal flora of the nasal and oropharynx (Koneman et al., The Gram-positive cocci part II: streptococci, enterococci and the 'Streptococcus-like' bacteria. Color atlas and textbook of diagnostic microbiology, 1997). Streptococcus oralis is implicated in meningitis in patients with decreased immune function or from surgical manipulation of the central nervous system. We report a unique case of meningitis by Streptococcus oralis in a 58-year-old patient with cerebral spinal fluid leak due to right sphenoid meningoencephalocele. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old female presented in the emergency department due to altered mental status, fevers, and nuchal rigidity. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus oralis. Magnetic resonance stereotactic imaging of head with intravenous gadolinium showed debris in lateral ventricle occipital horn and dural thickening/enhancement consistent with meningitis. There was also a right sphenoidal roof defect, and meningoencephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid leak as a result. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and had endoscopic endonasal repair of defect. She had complete neurologic recovery 3 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrospinal fluid leak puts patients at increased risk for meningitis. Our case is unique in highlighting Streptococcus oralis as the organism implicated in meningitis due to cerebrospinal fluid leak.