Fishing for Trouble: A Novel Surgical Technique for Penetrating Fishhook Injuries of the Eyelid.

Fishhook injuries commonly occur and may present as ophthalmic surgical emergencies. Choosing the appropriate removal technique is critical and depends on the involved extra- and intra-ocular structures and hook characteristics. We describe the case of a challenging fishhook removal where a novel surgical technique was developed. An eight-year-old boy presented with a full-thickness fishhook injury to the eyelid. During removal surgery, the thickness and density of the fishhook prevented surgical tools from transecting the shank. A novel approach was deemed necessary for safe removal, termed the clamp and retract technique. To our knowledge, this is its first documented use in the literature.

Ocular syphilis resurgence in an urban underserved community in the United States.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, demographics, and visual outcomes of patients with ocular syphilis at an urban hospital to increase awareness and assist in earlier diagnosis and treatment of the resurgent disease. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes correlating with syphilis or syphilis-related ocular diseases between 2010 and 2019. Variables evaluated included age, gender, race, vision, ocular findings, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and men who have sex with men status, recreational drug and alcohol use. RESULTS: Ocular syphilis was diagnosed in 40 patients (53 eyes) of a total of 229 patients who tested positive for syphilis via serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid treponemal testing from 2010-2019. Among patients with ocular syphilis, most patients were males, aged 45 or above and Black, and had no diagnosed HIV infection. Approximately 50% patients had 20/40 vision or better. Nearly 50% had non-granulomatous anterior uveitis as their initial presentation, and 49% of patients had involvement of the posterior segment. Neovascular glaucoma (5.7%), papillitis (7.5%), vasculitis (5.7%), and retinal detachment (5.7%) were rarer presentations of the disease and were associated with a poorer visual prognosis. CONCLUSION: Given the increased prevalence and protean manifestations of syphilis, early diagnosis and treatment are paramount. More studies on ocular syphilis are warranted to understand this resurging disease.

Optic Perineuritis Associated With Cryptococcal Meningitis Presenting With a "Hot Orbit" in a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

ABSTRACT: A 75-year-old man presented with 3 days of progressive left retro-orbital pain, eyelid swelling, tearing, and pain with extraocular movement. His medical history was significant for type II diabetes mellitus and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, stable on no therapy since diagnosis 8 years prior. The initial examination was significant for diffuse restriction of left ocular motility, marked lid edema, and mild dyschromatopsia. Computed tomography demonstrated asymmetric left periorbital soft tissue swelling and intraconal fat stranding with an irregular left optic nerve sheath complex and clear paranasal sinuses. He was hospitalized for orbital cellulitis and treated empirically with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, but his visual acuity declined over the ensuing 2 days. Subsequent MRI demonstrated left-greater-than-right circumferential optic nerve sheath enhancement, and leptomeningeal enhancement. An orbital biopsy demonstrated monoclonal B-cell lymphocyte aggregation, whereas a lumbar puncture was positive for Cryptococcus antigen with subsequent demonstration of abundant Cryptococcus by Papanicolaou stain. The final diagnosis was optic perineuritis secondary to cryptococcal meningitis presenting with orbital inflammation. Although his clinical course was complicated by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, symptoms and signs of optic neuropathy ultimately resolved after 1 month of intensive antifungal therapy.

Etiology and outcomes of childhood glaucoma at a tertiary referral center.

PURPOSE: To describe the etiology, clinical features, and outcomes for a large contemporary cohort of children presenting with glaucoma at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: The medical records of patients presenting to Boston Children's Hospital from January 2014 to July 2019 with a diagnosis of childhood glaucoma were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding etiology, treatment, and visual and anatomic outcomes were collected; visual acuity outcomes were analyzed by laterality and diagnosis categories, using the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network (CGRN) classifications. RESULTS: A total of 373 eyes of 246 patients (51% males) diagnosed with glaucoma before 18 years of age were identified. Mean follow-up was 7.04 ± 5.61 years; 137 cases were bilateral. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.55 ± 5.20 years. The most common diagnoses were glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS, 36.5%) and primary congenital glaucoma (PCG, 29.0%). Overall, 164 eyes (44.0%) underwent at least one glaucoma surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≤21 mm Hg with or without glaucoma medications in 300 eyes (80.4%) at the last follow-up visit. Poor final best-corrected visual acuity (≤20/200) was found in 110 eyes; patients with poor final visual acuity tended to have poor visual acuity at presentation. The most common reason for poor vision was amblyopia. Uncontrolled IOP was an uncommon cause for vision loss. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood glaucoma can be challenging to manage, but poor vision usually results from amblyopia or presence of other ocular abnormalities or syndromes rather than glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

ARHGEF-10 gene mutation presenting as orbital inflammatory syndrome.

Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 10 (ARHGEF-10) is a RHO GTPase that has a role for neural morphogenesis, however its effect on the eyes remains unknown. Here, we report a 44-year-old man who presented with eyelid swelling along with a history of bilateral hand contractures, high-arched feet and muscle wasting, who was found to have an ARHGEF-10 mutation. Neuroimaging was significant for numerous nerve-based cystic abnormalities in the bilateral orbits and throughout the neuraxis, and an orbital biopsy revealed S-100 and SOX-10 positive lesion consistent with pseudocysts. While the role of ARHGEF-10 remains unclear, further research is warranted to further describe its clinical manifestations.

Cytokine Levels in Human Vitreous in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

In this study, we compare the vitreous cytokine profile in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to that of patients without PDR. The identification of novel cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of PDR provides candidate therapeutic targets that may stand alone or work synergistically with current therapies in the management of diabetic retinopathy. Undiluted vitreous humor specimens were collected from 74 patients undergoing vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal disorders. Quantitative immunoassay was performed for a panel of 36 neuroinflammatory cytokines in each specimen and assessed to identify differences between PDR (n = 35) and non-PDR (n = 39) patients. Levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-15, IL-16, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-D, c-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) were significantly increased in the vitreous of PDR patients compared to non-PDR patients (p < 0.05). We report novel increases in IL-15 and IL-16, in addition to the expected VEGF, in the human vitreous humor of patients with PDR. Additionally, we confirm the elevation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, SAA, IL-8 and CRP in the vitreous of patients with PDR, which has previously been described.

A Rapid, Simple, Inexpensive, and Mobile Colorimetric Assay COVID-19-LAMP for Mass On-Site Screening of COVID-19.

To control the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent its resurgence in areas preparing for a return of economic activities, a method for a rapid, simple, and inexpensive point-of-care diagnosis and mass screening is urgently needed. We developed and evaluated a one-step colorimetric reverse-transcriptional loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (COVID-19-LAMP) for detection of SARS-CoV-2, using SARS-CoV-2 isolate and respiratory samples from patients with COVID-19 (n = 223) and other respiratory virus infections (n = 143). The assay involves simple equipment and techniques and low cost, without the need for expensive qPCR machines, and the result, indicated by color change, is easily interpreted by naked eyes. COVID-19-LAMP can detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA with detection limit of 42 copies/reaction. Of 223 respiratory samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR, 212 and 219 were positive by COVID-19-LAMP at 60 and 90 min (sensitivities of 95.07% and 98.21%) respectively, with the highest sensitivities among nasopharyngeal swabs (96.88% and 98.96%), compared to sputum/deep throat saliva samples (94.03% and 97.02%), and throat swab samples (93.33% and 98.33%). None of the 143 samples with other respiratory viruses were positive by COVID-19-LAMP, showing 100% specificity. Samples with higher viral load showed shorter detection time, some as early as 30 min. This inexpensive, highly sensitive and specific COVID-19-LAMP assay can be useful for rapid deployment as mobile diagnostic units to resource-limiting areas for point-of-care diagnosis, and for unlimited high-throughput mass screening at borders to reduce cross-regional transmission.

Collector Channels: Role and Evaluation in Schlemm's Canal Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To elucidate the role of collector channels in the aqueous humor outflow pathway 2) To suggest anatomic and functional methods of imaging collector channels in-vitro and in-vivo and 3) To discuss the role of such imaging modalities in the surgical management of glaucoma. METHODS: A thorough literature search was conducted on databases for studies published in English regarding the available methods to determine the role of collecting channels in normal and glaucomatous patients and to assess their patency. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) exists as a balance between aqueous humor production and aqueous humor outflow. Collector channels are an essential anatomical constituent of the distal portion of the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway. There are different surgical options for glaucoma management and with the recent advances in Schlemm's canal-based surgeries, collector channel's patency became a key factor in determining the optimum management for the glaucomatous eye. The advent of anatomic imaging methods has improved the ability to visualize collector channel morphology in-vitro, including swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), micro-computed tomography (micro CT), new immunohistochemistry techniques and scanning electron microscopy. The recent advent of real-time assessment of collector channel patency (including evaluation of episcleral venous outflow, observation of episcleral venous fluid wave, and tracer studies utilizing fluorescein, indocyanine green, and trypan blue) has been validated by the aforementioned anatomic imaging modalities. CONCLUSIONS: New modalities of in-vitro and in-vivo studies of collector channels provide promise to aid in the assessment of collector channel patency and individualization of surgical management for glaucoma patients.

Left renal vein entrapment syndrome: nutcracker syndrome!

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare vascular compression disorder that involves compression of the left renal vein most commonly between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), although variations exist. It is associated with the formation of the left renal vein from the aortic collar during the 6th-8th week of gestation and abnormal angulation of the SMA from the aorta. Collateralisation of venous circulation including mainly the left gonadal vein and the communicating lumbar vein are the most significant effects. It has a female predilection occurring in the third to fourth decade and it tends to be diagnosed earlier in men. Affected individuals may present with a myriad of symptoms such as haematuria, left flank pain and proteinuria. As patients often present with these non-specific symptoms to primary care, knowledge of NCS is essential. The diagnosis can be rendered with Doppler ultrasonography, retrograde venography, CT angiography, intravascular ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography. The authors describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with a low body mass index (BMI) presenting with generalised abdominal and flank pain as well as chronic microcytic anaemia. Physical examination findings were suggestive of biliary or renal colic. Laboratory investigations confirmed her anaemia (haemoglobin 88 g/L, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 72 fL), but were otherwise unremarkable. Urinalysis showed proteinuria and haematuria. However, ultrasonography was unremarkable with a normal gallbladder and no evidence of calculi. Her CT scan showed marked compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the SMA (nutcracker phenomenon), with upstream left renal, left gonadal and left lumbar vein dilatation. She was managed conservatively. This paper provides an overview of the aetiology, embryology, clinical manifestations, imaging modalities and management of NCS.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the most recent literature on the relationship of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and considerations in management of these conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: A link has been proposed between spontaneous CSF leak and IIH based on similar demographics, radiologic, and clinical findings in these patients, and on a plausible mechanism of skull base erosion in the setting of high CSF pressure over time. IIH patients with CSF leak may not present with classic IIH signs and symptoms as the leak can alleviate excess pressure; however, they may develop these after a leak is repaired. There may also be a higher risk of leak recurrence if intracranial hypertension is not treated postoperatively. SUMMARY: A growing body of evidence supports an association between IIH and spontaneous CSF leak. However, this relationship is still not fully elucidated, and there is no current agreement on how to incorporate screening, management, or counseling guidelines for CSF leak into the care of IIH patients. There are also no specific guidelines for evaluation/management of IIH in patients with spontaneous CSF leak. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to explore this connection and to establish screening, evaluation, and management guidelines.

The Impact of Brain Metastases and Associated Neurocognitive Aspects on Health Utility Scores in EGFR Mutated and ALK Rearranged NSCLC: A Real World Evidence Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In lung cancer, brain metastases (BM) and their treatment are associated with high economic burden and inferior health-related quality of life. In the era of targeted therapy, real world evidence through health utility scores (HUS) is critical for economic analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective observational cohort study (2014-2016), outpatients with stage IV lung cancer completed demographic and EQ-5D-3L surveys (to derive HUS). Health states and clinicopathologic variables were obtained from chart abstraction. Patients were categorized by the presence or absence of BM; regression analyses identified factors that were associated with HUS. A subset of patients prospectively completed neurocognitive function (NCF) tests and/or the FACT-brain (FACT-Br) questionnaire, which were then correlated with HUS (Spearman coefficients; regression analyses). RESULTS: Of 519 patients with 1,686 EQ-5D-3L-derived HUS, 94 (18%) completed NCF tests and 107 (21%) completed FACT-Br; 301 (58%) never developed BM, 24 (5%) developed first BM during study period, and 194 (37%) had BM at study entry. The sample was enriched (46%) for EGFR mutations (EGFRm) and ALK-rearrangements (ALKr). There were no HUS differences by BM status overall and in subsets by demographics. In multivariable analyses, superior HUS was associated with having EGFRm/ALKr (p < .0001), no prior radiation for extracranial disease (p < .001), and both intracranial (p = .002) and extracranial disease control (p < .01). HUS correlated with multiple elements of the FACT-Br and tests of NCF. CONCLUSION: Having BM in lung cancer is not associated with inferior HUS in a population enriched for EGFRm and ALKr. Patients exhibiting disease control and those with oncogene-addicted tumors have superior HUS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In the setting of EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangement non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a diagnosis of brain metastases no longer consigns the patient to an inferior health state suggesting that new economic analyses in NSCLC are needed in the era of targeted therapies. Additionally, the EQ-5D questionnaire is associated with measures of health-related quality of life and neurocognitive scores suggesting this tool should be further explored in prospective clinical studies.

Development and prospective evaluation of CAPLET, a cancer ambulatory patient physical function longitudinal evaluation tool for routine clinical practice.

PURPOSE: A patient's physical function is a critical outcome variable for measuring and improving chronic care management. However, patient-reported outcome measures of physical function are not routinely assessed in cancer outpatients, in part due to limitations of tools available. This study presents the development and evaluation of the Cancer Ambulatory Patient Physical Function Longitudinal Evaluation Tool (CAPLET) as an adaptive response tool for routinely screening for physical dysfunction in oncology clinical practice. METHODS: In phase 1, 407 adult outpatients at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre completed the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), EuroQuol-5D-3L ( EQ-5D-3L), and patient-reported outcome (PRO)-Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). CAPLET was developed based on a branching logic algorithm navigating patients to appropriate domains of HAQ-DI/WHOAS using their responses to the PRO-ECOG/EQ-5D-3L as screeners. Sensitivity/specificity of CAPLET screeners for HAQ-DI/WHODAS items were reported. In phase 2, CAPLET vs the WHODAS/HAQ-DI were alternatively administrated to 318 adult outpatients in a two-arm trial comparing time to completion and acceptability between the tools. RESULTS: Using a patient's ECOG status and the sum of the mobility, self-care, and usual activity dimensions of the EQ-5D-3L to dichotomize patients as with or without difficulty, CAPLET achieved a sensitivity > 90% against recommended WHODAS and HAQ-DI cutoffs for significant dysfunction. Sensitivity of screeners for capturing dysfunction in individual WHODAS/HAQ-DI items ranged from 85 to 100%. Compared to the HAQ-DI/WHODAS, CAPLET was associated with a 50% reduction in administration times and improved patient acceptability, while reducing question burden by 84% for half the sample population. CONCLUSIONS: CAPLET improves the feasibility of capturing detailed assessments of patient-reported physical function in cancer outpatients.

Effect of Age and Myopia on Retinal Microvasculature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of age and refractive error on changes in the retinal microvascular network. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were recruited from the Doheny Eye Institute. Refractive error and axial length were measured. High myopia was defined as refractive error greater than -6 diopters (D). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging was performed and images were analyzed using fractal analysis. Primary outcomes were superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vessel density, deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight eyes of 69 subjects were included. Twenty-eight (41%) subjects were male and 41 (59%) subjects were female. Mean age was 42.81 years ± 19.91 years (range: 8 years to 87 years). Mean refractive error was -1.74 D ± 3.18 D (range: -15.78 D to 4.25 D), and mean axial length (AL) was 24.29 mm ± 1.35 mm (range: 21.73 mm to 28.32 mm). SCP and DCP vessel densities were negatively correlated to age (r = -0.22, P = .011; and r = -0.49, P < .001). Controlling for age, patients with high myopia and longer AL had decreased SCP density (P = .021 and P = .027, respectively), but no difference in DCP vessel density was observed (P = .065 and P = .058, respectively). FAZ area was not significantly correlated to age, gender, refraction, or AL. CONCLUSIONS: SCP and DCP vessel densities decreased with age. In addition, SCP density but not DCP vessel density was reduced in eyes with high myopia and longer AL. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:925-931.].

ISCHEMIC CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION IN THE ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ERA.

PURPOSE: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy has improved the prognosis for patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). However, most studies published to date exclude ischemic CRVO. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome in eyes with ischemic CRVO treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with ischemic CRVO from 3 centers were followed for at least 6 months. Data on patient demographic, vision status, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments were collected. RESULTS: Average number of injections during the study period was 5. Younger age was associated with improved vision (P = 0.006). Patients with improved visual outcomes tended to have macular edema as the primary indication for treatment, whereas patients with worse outcomes tended to have neovascularization as the primary indication for treatment. CONCLUSION: This study highlights significant variability in the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for ischemic CRVO and underscores that eyes with neovascularization tend to have worse visual outcomes.

Mechanisms of hyoscine butylbromide to improve adenoma detection: A case-control study of surface visualization at simulated colonoscope withdrawal.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Antispasmodics may improve mucosal visualization during colonoscope withdrawal, potentially improving polyp and adenoma detection. Meta-analysis and case-control studies suggest a 9 % to 13 % relative increase in adenoma and polyp detection. We aimed to assess the impact of hyoscine butylbromide on the expected visualization during colonoscope withdrawal using a CT colonography (CTC) simulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Datasets from a previous CTC study examining the effect of antispasmodic were re-analyzed with customised CTC software, adjusted to simulate a standard colonoscopic view. Eighty-six patients received intravenous (IV) hyoscine butylbromide 20 mg, 40 mg or no antispasmodic. Main outcome measurements at unidirectional flythrough, simulating colonoscope withdrawal, were percentage colonic surface visualization, numbers and sizes of unseen areas, and colonic length. RESULTS: Use of antispasmodic was associated with a significant relative increase in percentage surface visualization of 2.6 % to 3.9 %, compared with no antispasmodic, P < 0.006. Total numbers of missed areas and intermediate sized (300 - 1000 mm(2)) missed areas were significantly decreased, by approximately 20 %. There were no differences between the 20-mg and 40-mg doses. Mean colonic length (161 - 169 cm) was unchanged by antispasmodic. CONCLUSIONS: IV hyoscine butylbromide at simulated colonoscope withdrawal was associated with significant increases in surface visualization, which might explain up to half the improvement in adenoma detection seen in clinical studies.

Patient-physician interaction and quality of life in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Few studies have explored how patient-physician interactions influence patients' quality of life (QOL). In a prospective cohort study of 1,855 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Care Program from 2006 to 2011, we examined associations between patient-physician interactions during cancer treatment and QOL, overall and by racial/ethnic group. Participants completed the interpersonal processes of care (IPC) survey at approximately 8 months post-diagnosis to assess specific domains of the patient-physician interaction during the months after cancer diagnosis. Domains included: compassion, elicited concerns, explained results, decided together, lack of clarity, discrimination due to race/ethnicity, and disrespectful office staff. The functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast cancer was completed concurrently to measure QOL. Linear regression models examined the association of IPC with QOL, first adjusting for patient covariates including age, race, clinical factors, and psychosocial measures and then for physician characteristics such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and specialty. For all participants (n = 1,855), IPC scores suggesting greater lack of clarity, discrimination due to race/ethnicity, and disrespectful office staff in patient-physician interactions were associated with lower QOL (P< 0.01). IPC scores suggesting physicians demonstrating compassion, eliciting concerns, or explaining results were associated with higher QOL (P< 0.01). Among Whites (n = 1,306), only the associations with higher QOL remained. African Americans (n = 110) who reported higher scores on physician compassion and elicited concerns had higher QOL, whereas higher scores for disrespectful office staff had lower QOL. No associations were observed among Asians (n = 201) and Hispanics (n = 186). After further adjustment for physician factors, the associations among Whites remained, whereas those among African Americans disappeared. In the breast cancer treatment setting, characteristics of the patient-physician interaction as perceived by the patient are associated with QOL, yet were not specific to patient race/ethnicity.

Patient awareness and knowledge of breast cancer-related lymphedema in a large, integrated health care delivery system.

Breast cancer patients have voiced dissatisfaction regarding their education on breast cancer-related lymphedema risk and risk reduction strategies from their clinicians. Informing patients about lymphedema can contribute to decrease their risk of developing the condition, or among those already affected, prevent it from progressing further. In this cross-sectional study, a lymphedema awareness score was calculated based on responses to a brief telephone interview conducted among 389 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2000 to 2008 and had a previous record of a lymphedema-related diagnosis or procedure in their electronic medical record. During the telephone interview, women self-reported a lymphedema clinical diagnosis, lymphedema symptoms but no lymphedema diagnosis, or neither a diagnosis nor symptoms, and responded to questions on lymphedema education and support services as well as health knowledge. Multivariable logistic regression [odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI)] was used to determine the associations of selected sociodemographic and clinical factors with the odds of having lymphedema awareness (adequate vs. inadequate). The median (range) of the lymphedema awareness score was 4 (0-7). Compared with patients <50 years of age, patients 70+ years of age at breast cancer diagnosis had lower odds of adequate lymphedema awareness (OR 0.25; 95 % CI 0.07, 0.89), while patients 50-59 and 60-69 years had greater odds of adequate awareness although not statistically significant (OR 2.05; 95 % CI 0.88, 4.78 and OR 1.55; 95 % CI 0.60, 4.02, respectively; p for trend = 0.09). Higher educational level and greater health literacy were suggestive of adequate awareness yet were not significant. These results can help inform educational interventions to strengthen patient knowledge of lymphedema risk and risk reduction practices, particularly in an integrated health care delivery setting. With the growing population of breast cancer survivors, increasing patient awareness and education about lymphedema risk reduction and care after cancer diagnosis is warranted.

Perfusion CT assessment of the colon and rectum: feasibility of quantification of bowel wall perfusion and vascularization.

The aim was to determine the feasibility of vascular quantification of the bowel wall for different anatomical segments of the colorectum. Following institutional ethical approval and informed consent, 39 patients with colorectal cancer underwent perfusion CT. Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability surface area product (PS) were assessed for different segments of the colorectum: ascending, transverse, descending colon, sigmoid, or rectum, that were distant from the tumor, and which were proven normal on contemporary colonoscopy, and subsequent imaging and clinical follow up. Mean (SD) for BF, BV, MTT and PS for the different anatomical colorectal segments were obtained and compared using a pooled t-test. Significance was at 5%. Assessment was not possible in 9 of 39 (23%) patients as the bowel wall was ≤ 5 mm precluding quantitative analysis. Forty-four segments were evaluated in the remaining 30 patients. Mean BF was higher in the proximal than distal colon: 24.0 versus 17.8 mL/min/100g tissue; p=0.009; BV, MTT and PS were not significantly different; BV: 3.46 versus 3.15 mL/100g tissue, p=0.45; MTT: 15.1 versus 18.3s; p=0.10; PS: 6.84 versus 8.97 mL/min/100 tissue, p=0.13, respectively. In conclusion, assessment of bowel wall perfusion may fail in 23% of patients. The colorectum demonstrates segmental differences in perfusion.

Clinician awareness and knowledge of breast cancer-related lymphedema in a large, integrated health care delivery setting.

Breast cancer survivors have reported dissatisfaction regarding their education on risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) from clinicians. We describe clinician knowledge and treatment referral of patients with BCRL among active oncologists, surgeons, and primary care physicians in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Care Program. A total of 887 oncologists, surgeons, and primary care clinicians completed a 10-minute web survey from May 2, 2010 to December 31, 2010 on BCRL knowledge, education, and referral patterns. A knowledge score of BCRL was calculated based on clinician responses. Multivariable regression models were used to determine the associations of selected covariates with BCRL knowledge score and clinician referral, respectively. Compared with primary care clinicians, oncologists had the highest mean score followed closely by surgeons (P < 0.0001). In multivariable analyses, being female, an oncologist or surgeon, and recently receiving BCRL materials were each significantly associated with higher BCRL knowledge scores. About 44% of clinicians (n = 381) indicated they had ever made a BCRL referral (100% oncologists, 79% surgeons, and 36% primary care clinicians). Clinicians with a higher knowledge score were more likely to make referrals. In stratified analyses by specialty, the significant associated factors remained for primary care but became non-significant for oncology and surgery. These results can inform educational interventions to strengthen clinician knowledge of the clinical management of BCRL, especially among primary care clinicians. With the growing number of breast cancer survivors, increasing clinician education about BCRL across all specialties is warranted.