Blood markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in lacunar stroke versus non-lacunar stroke and non-stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The cause of cerebral small vessel disease is not fully understood, yet it is important, accounting for about 25% of all strokes. It also increases the risk of having another stroke and contributes to about 40% of dementias. Various processes have been implicated, including microatheroma, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. A previous review investigated endothelial dysfunction in lacunar stroke versus mostly non-stroke controls while another looked at markers of inflammation and endothelial damage in ischaemic stroke in general. We have focused on blood markers between clinically evident lacunar stroke and other subtypes of ischaemic stroke, thereby controlling for stroke in general. SUMMARY: We systematically assessed the literature for studies comparing blood markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in lacunar stroke versus non-stroke controls or other ischaemic stroke subtypes. We assessed the quality of included papers and meta-analysed results. We split the analysis on time of blood draw in relation to the stroke. We identified 1,468 full papers of which 42 were eligible for inclusion, including 4,816 ischaemic strokes, of which 2,196 were lacunar and 2,500 non-stroke controls. Most studies subtyped stroke using TOAST. The definition of lacunar stroke varied between studies. Markers of coagulation/fibrinolysis (tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), fibrinogen, D-dimer) were higher in lacunar stroke versus non-stroke although fibrinogen was no different to non-stroke in the acute phase. tPA and PAI were no different between lacunar and non-lacunar stroke. Fibrinogen and D-dimer were significantly lower in lacunar stroke compared to other ischaemic strokes, both acutely and chronically. Markers of endothelial dysfunction (homocysteine, von Willebrand Factor (vWF), E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM)) were higher or had insufficient or conflicting data (P-selectin, VCAM) in lacunar stroke versus non-stroke. Compared to other ischaemic stroke subtypes, homocysteine did not differ in lacunar stroke while vWF was significantly lower in lacunar stroke acutely [atherothrombotic standardized mean difference, SMD, -0.34 (-0.61, -0.08); cardioembolic SMD -0.38 (-0.62, -0.14)], with insufficient data chronically. Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6)) were higher in lacunar stroke versus non-stroke, although there were no studies measuring TNF-α chronically and the sole study measuring IL-6 chronically showed no difference between lacunar stroke and non-stroke. Compared to other ischaemic stroke subtypes, there was no difference (CRP) or insufficient or conflicting data (TNF-α) to lacunar stroke. IL-6 was significantly lower [atherothrombotic SMD -0.37 (-0.63, -0.10); cardioembolic SMD -0.52 (-0.82, -0.22)] in lacunar stroke acutely, with insufficient data chronically. KEY MESSAGES: Lacunar stroke is an important stroke subtype. More studies comparing lacunar stroke to non-lacunar stroke specifically, rather than to non-stroke controls, are needed. Prospective studies with measurements taken well after the acute event are more likely to be helpful in determining pathogenesis. The available data in this review were limited and do not exclude the possibility that peripheral inflammatory processes including endothelial dysfunction are associated with lacunar stroke and cerebral small vessel disease.

Postoperative radiotherapy delay in head and neck cancer patients undergoing major resection and free flap reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Delays to postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) are frequent and associated with poorer oncologic outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Free flap patients have been suggested as the most at-risk group. Thus, PORT delivery experienced by HNC patients who required a free flap reconstruction was analysed, identifying reasons for the delays if any. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a single tertiary unit's PORT delivery to HNC patients undergoing major resection followed by free flap reconstruction between 2017 and 2020. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were identified. Thirty-two patients received PORT within 6 weeks of their surgery date. Reasons for the delays could be categorised into surgery-derived, system-derived and patient-derived reasons. Five patients (5.74%) received PORT >6 weeks after their surgery due to surgical complications. No patients experienced surgical complications during their PORT. CONCLUSION: In our experience, surgical aspects of free flap reconstructions do not appear to overtly delay or interrupt PORT.

Wide variation in definition, detection, and description of lacunar lesions on imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Variation in the definition of lacunar lesions on imaging and difficulties in their detection may be hampering lacunar stroke research. We assessed literature definitions of imaging lacunar lesions and the definitions and detection of lacunar lesions among small-vessel disease researchers. METHODS: We assessed definitions of imaging lacunar lesion in 50 randomly selected articles from 3 stroke-related journals and an online survey of small-vessel disease researchers. In the literature review, we assessed clinical/imaging definitions of lacunar stroke. In the survey, we assessed lacunar lesion detection, effects of lesion appearance, background white matter lesions, and provision of relevant data. RESULTS: Among 50 articles, imaging definitions were varied and often limited; size was stated in 21 of 43 (49%) studies of acute and in 9 of 20 (45%) studies of old lesions and site in 18 (42%) and 4 (20%), respectively. Clinical definitions also varied, and images were read mostly by nonradiologists. Among 56 survey respondents, multiple descriptions were used for recent and old, symptomatic and asymptomatic, lesions on imaging. Most agreed on definitions for site (98%) and "old lacunar infarct" (61%) size. Cavitated (vs noncavitated) lesions were usually identified as lacunar lesions; with increasing white matter lesions, however, noncavitated lesions were very unlikely to be identified, even with prior imaging available (7.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging definitions of lacunar lesions vary widely, in part due to variation in lesion detection and classification. A consensus for imaging definitions of small-vessel disease features would be helpful.

Smoking and the patient with a complex lower limb injury.

Smoking is known to increase the risk of peri-operative complications in Orthoplastic surgery by impairing bone and wound healing. The effects of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been less well established. Previous reviews have examined the relationship between smoking and bone and wound healing separately. This review provides surgeons with a comprehensive and contemporaneous account of how smoking in all forms interacts with all aspects of complex lower limb trauma. We provide a guide for surgeons to refer to during the consent process to enable them to tailor information towards smokers in such a way that the patient may understand the risks involved with their surgical treatment. We update the literature with recently discovered methods of monitoring and treating the troublesome complications that occur more commonly in smokers effected by trauma.

Single-incision laparoscopic (SIL) sigmoid colectomy and uterus-preserving repair for colo-uterine fistula secondary to severe diverticular disease: an unusual technical solution for an unusual presentation of a common disease.

Colouterine fistula as a potential complication of chronic diverticulitis is a rare entity with less than 30 cases reported worldwide. Generally, patients require a multidisciplinary approach including a major laparotomy with hysterectomy and sigmoid colectomy, and, occasionally, temporary colostomy. We report the first attempt of a novel, minimally invasive technique for managing a case of benign colouterine fistula with single-incision laparoscopic (SIL) sigmoid colectomy and uterus preservation. A small, 3 cm incision site provided access for the whole operation, as well as played a role as the specimen extraction site. Malignant fistulas and large uterine defects may require hysterectomy, however, laparoscopic closure of uterine wall defects can be considered as a reasonable alternative in selected patients, avoiding the higher risks associated with hysterectomy and keeping fertility at younger ages. Single incision laparoscopy in complicated diverticular disease and fistula formation cases is a challenging but technically feasible option, in experienced hands.