Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) to treat acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) secondary to gastric cancer presents a significant clinical challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for managing this condition, especially in the context of failed endoscopic management. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TAE in treating acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding caused by gastric cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of medical databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, was conducted for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Included studies reported on the use of TAE for acute upper GI bleeding specifically due to gastric cancer, including retrospective analyses, case reports, and cohort studies. Demographics and clinical outcomes were reported. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, all being retrospective in nature. The overall technical success rate of TAE was 94.9 %. Overall clinical success rates were 72 % with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) of 66-79 %. Overall rebleeding rates were 11 % with a 95 % CI of 3-18 %. Major complications were reported in 2.4 % of patients, including ischemic complications and organ perforation. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 26.4 %, primarily due to underlying disease progression rather than procedural complications. CONCLUSION: TAE is an effective and safe intervention for managing acute upper GI bleeding secondary to gastric cancer, with high success rates. TAE should be considered a viable treatment modality for this challenging condition, particularly for patients who are being considered for neoadjuvant therapy or indeed those not suitable candidates for curative surgical intervention.

Factors Influencing Outcomes and Survival in Anal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aim to ascertain prognostic factors in the current management of anal cancer within this study. METHODS: We reviewed the management and outcomes of anal cancer cases over a seven-year period, inclusive (2016-2023). The primary objectives were to assess the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of all anal cancer patients within our institution. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival differences between cohorts, with statistical significance determined using log-rank testing. Cox proportional hazards regression was utilised to identify prognostic factors. Cox regression hazard ratios were reported along with confidence intervals and p-values. RESULTS: The median follow-up time for the study was 29.8 months. Seventy-five patients with anal cancer were included in this study, with 88% (66/75) being squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the majority having regional disease (82.7% (62/75)). The median age at diagnosis was 63.4 years (36-94). There was a female preponderance (57.3% (43/75)). In total, 84% (63/75) underwent definitive chemoradiation (dCRT), with 7/63 (11.1%) requiring a salvage abdomino-perineal resection (APR) for residual or recurrent disease. Adverse prognostic indicators include those with T4 disease hazard ratio = 3.81, (95% CI 1.13-12.83, * p = 0.04), poorly differentiated tumour disease HR = 3.37, (95% CI 1.13-10.02, * p = 0.04), having N2 nodal status HR = 5.03, (95% CI 1.11-22.8, * p = 0.04), and having metastatic disease at diagnosis HR = 5.8, (95% CI 1.28-26.42, * p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Presenting characteristics including stage, nodal, and differentiation status remain key prognostic indicators in those diagnosed with anal malignancy.

The Optimal Approach to Surgical Management of Goblet Cell Carcinoid of the Appendix: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) is a rare and poorly understood appendiceal neoplasm, exhibiting mixed histological and aggressive clinical features. Current guidelines recommend right hemicolectomy in all cases, although there is conflicting evidence that appendicectomy alone may be sufficient. This review aims to identify the optimal surgical management for appendiceal GCC. METHODS: A systematic review was performed by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Randomised controlled trials, cohort studies or large case series (>5 patients) reporting clinical outcomes for patients undergoing surgical management of GCC of the appendix were included. Outcomes extracted included participant and tumour characteristics, type of surgery and survival data. RESULTS: A total of 1341 studies were retrieved. After duplicate removal, 796 titles were screened for relevance prior to abstract and full text review. A total of six studies were included for analysis, comprising 3177 patients-1629 females and 1548 males. The median age ranged from 51 to 72 years. A total of 2329 patients underwent right hemicolectomy, while 824 were treated with appendicectomy only. Overall, the included studies report increased survival in patients undergoing right hemicolectomy compared to appendicectomy alone. A meta-analysis was not possible due to insufficient data reported in the published literature to date. CONCLUSIONS: There is no consensus regarding the optimal surgical management of appendiceal GCC, as outcomes-based data comparing surgical interventions are lacking. It is possible that some patients with favourable features are overtreated. The absence of robust evidence to support a more conservative approach means that right hemicolectomy remains the standard of care for all patients, in keeping with current international guidelines. The rarity of this condition and limited data in the published studies remain barriers to evidence-based best clinical practice.

Computed tomography (CT) derived radiomics to predict post-operative disease recurrence in gastric cancer; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Radiomics offers the potential to predict oncological outcomes from pre-operative imaging in order to identify 'high risk' patients at increased risk of recurrence. The application of radiomics in predicting disease recurrence provides tailoring of therapeutic strategies. We aim to comprehensively assess the existing literature regarding the current role of radiomics as a predictor of disease recurrence in gastric cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria encompassed retrospective and prospective studies investigating the use of radiomics to predict post-operative recurrence in ovarian cancer. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 and Radiomics Quality Score tools. RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 6,662 participants. Radiomic-based nomograms demonstrated consistent performance in predicting disease recurrence, as evidenced by satisfactory area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (AUC range 0.72 - 1). The pooled AUCs calculated using the inverse-variance method for both the training and validation datasets were 0.819 and 0.789 respectively CONCLUSION: Our review provides good evidence supporting the role of radiomics as a predictor of post-operative disease recurrence in gastric cancer. Included studies noted good performance in predicting their primary outcome. Radiomics may enhance personalised medicine by tailoring treatment decision based on predicted prognosis.

Assessing circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic biomarker in locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker in various cancer types, including locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), offering potential insights into disease progression, treatment response and recurrence. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the utility of ctDNA as a prognostic biomarker in LARC. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched as part of our review. Studies investigating the utility of ctDNA in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) were assessed for eligibility. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) risk of bias tool. Outcomes extracted included basic participant characteristics, ctDNA details and survival data. A meta-analysis was performed on eligible studies to determine pooled recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Twenty-two studies involving 1676 participants were included in our analysis. Methodological quality categorised by the Newcastle Ottawa Scale was generally satisfactory across included studies. ctDNA detected at various time intervals was generally associated with poor outcomes across included studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated a pooled hazard ratio of 8.87 (95% CI 4.91-16.03) and 15.15 (95% CI 8.21-27.95), indicating an increased risk of recurrence with ctDNA positivity in the post-neoadjuvant and post-operative periods respectively. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review provides evidence supporting the prognostic utility of ctDNA in patients with LARC, particularly in identifying patients at higher risk of disease recurrence in the post-neoadjuvant and post-operative periods.

Role of radiomics as a predictor of disease recurrence in ovarian cancer: a systematic review.

Ovarian cancer is associated with high cancer-related mortality rate attributed to late-stage diagnosis, limited treatment options, and frequent disease recurrence. As a result, careful patient selection is important especially in setting of radical surgery. Radiomics is an emerging field in medical imaging, which may help provide vital prognostic evaluation and help patient selection for radical treatment strategies. This systematic review aims to assess the role of radiomics as a predictor of disease recurrence in ovarian cancer. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Studies meeting inclusion criteria investigating the use of radiomics to predict post-operative recurrence in ovarian cancer were included in our qualitative analysis. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 and Radiomics Quality Score tools. Six retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 952 participants. Radiomic-based signatures demonstrated consistent performance in predicting disease recurrence, as evidenced by satisfactory area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (AUC range 0.77-0.89). Radiomic-based signatures appear to good prognosticators of disease recurrence in ovarian cancer as estimated by AUC. The reviewed studies consistently reported the potential of radiomic features to enhance risk stratification and personalise treatment decisions in this complex cohort of patients. Further research is warranted to address limitations related to feature reliability, workflow heterogeneity, and the need for prospective validation studies.

Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (R-TAMIS): current evidence in the treatment of early rectal neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (R-TAMIS) was introduced in 2012 for the excision of benign rectal polyps and low grade rectal cancer. Ergonomic improvements over traditional laparoscopic TAMIS (L-TAMIS) include increased dexterity within a small operative field, with possibility of better surgical precision. We aim to collate the existing data surrounding the use of R-TAMIS to treat rectal neoplasms from cohort studies and larger case series, providing a foundation for future, large-scale, comparative studies. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched as part of our review. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies or large case series (≥ 5 patients) investigating the use of R-TAMIS to resect rectal neoplasia (benign or malignant) were eligible for inclusion in our analysis. Quality assessment of included studies was performed via the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) risk of bias tool. Outcomes extracted included basic participant characteristics, operative details and histopathological/oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Eighteen studies on 317 participants were included in our analysis. The quality of studies was generally satisfactory. Overall complication rate from R-TAMIS was 9.7%. Clear margins (R0) were reported in 96.2% of patients. Local recurrence (benign or malignant) occurred in 2.2% of patients during the specified follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Our review highlights the current evidence for R-TAMIS in the local excision of rectal lesions. While R-TAMIS appears to have complication, margin negativity and recurrence rates superior to those of published L-TAMIS series, comparative studies are needed.

Assessing Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a Biomarker for Anal Cancer Management: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review investigates the potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a predictive biomarker in the management and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched until 7 January 2024. Selection criteria included research articles exploring ctDNA in the context of anal cancer treatment response, recurrence risk assessment, and consideration of salvage surgery. A total of eight studies were therefore included in the final review, examining a total of 628 patients. These studies focused on three main themes: SCCA diagnosis and staging, treatment response, and patient outcomes. Significant heterogeneity was observed in terms of patient cohort, study methodology, and ctDNA biomarkers. Four studies provided information on the sensitivity of ctDNA biomarkers in SCCA, with a range of 82-100%. Seven studies noted a correlation between pre-treatment ctDNA levels and SCCA disease burden, suggesting that ctDNA could play a role as a biomarker for the staging of SCCA. Across all seven studies with paired pre- and post-treatment ctDNA samples, a trend was seen towards decreasing ctDNA levels post-treatment, with specific identification of a 'fast elimination' group who achieve undetectable ctDNA levels prior to the end of treatment and may be less likely to experience treatment failure. Residual ctDNA detection post-treatment was associated with poorer patient prognosis. This systematic review identifies the broad potential of ctDNA as a useful and decisive tool in the management of SCCA. Further analysis of ctDNA biomarkers that include larger patient cohorts is required in order to clearly evaluate their potential role in clinical decision-making processes.

Whole-Body MRI Screening for Carriers of Germline TP53 Mutations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review evaluated whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) as a cancer screening tool for individuals carrying germline TP53 mutations, a population known to be at a significantly elevated risk of malignancy. The primary objective is to assess the diagnostic performance of WB-MRI in detecting cancer in this cohort. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched until 18 August 2023. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. The data extracted included information on study characteristics, patient demographics, and the WB-MRI diagnostic performance. RESULTS: This systematic review identified eight eligible studies, comprising 506 TP53 mutation carriers. The mean age was 34.6 ± 16.3 (range 1-74) years. In total, 321/506 (63.4%) of the patients were female and 185/506 (36.6%) were male. In addition, 267/506 (52.8%) had a previous oncological diagnosis. Thirty-six new cancers were diagnosed with WB-MRI (36/506 (7.1%)). The overall pooled proportion of cancer detected on MRI was 7% (95% confidence interval 5-10). In total, 44 new lesions were picked up, as multiple lesions were found in some patients. CONCLUSION: WB-MRI is an effective cancer screening tool for TP53 mutation carriers. While these findings suggest the potential for WB-MRI to contribute to early cancer detection in this high-risk population, further research and the standardisation of protocols internationally are warranted to optimise its clinical utility.

The role of urology and radiology in prostate biopsy: current trends and future perspectives.

PURPOSE: Prostate biopsy is central to the accurate histological diagnosis of prostate cancer. In current practice, the biopsy procedure can be performed using a transrectal or transperineal route with different technologies available for targeting of lesions within the prostate. Historically, the biopsy procedure was performed solely by urologists, but with the advent of image-guided techniques, the involvement of radiologists in prostate biopsy has become more common. Herein, we discuss the pros, cons and future considerations regarding their ongoing role. METHODS: A narrative review regarding the current evidence was completed. PubMed and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were search until January 2024. All study types were of consideration if published after 2000 and an English language translation was available. RESULTS: There are no published studies that directly compare outcomes of prostate biopsy when performed by a urologist or radiologist. In all published studies regarding the learning curve for prostate biopsy, the procedure was performed by urologists. These studies suggest that the learning curve for prostate biopsy is between 10 and 50 cases to reach proficiency in terms of prostate cancer detection and complications. It is recognised that many urologists are poorly able to accurately interpret multi parametric (mp)-MRI of the prostate. Collaboration between the specialities is of importance with urology offering the advantage of being involved in prior and future care of the patient while radiology has the advantage of being able to expertly interpret preprocedure MRI. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence to suggest that prostate biopsy should be solely performed by a specific specialty. The most important factor remains knowledge of the relevant anatomy and sufficient volume of cases to develop and maintain skills.

Primary closure versus vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap closure of perineal wound following abdominoperineal resection-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE/AIM: Perianal wound healing and/or complications are common following abdominoperineal resection (APR). Although primary closure is commonly undertaken, myocutaneous flap closure such as vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM) is thought to improve wound healing process and outcome. A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes of primary closure versus VRAM flap closure of perineal wound following APR. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched until the 8th of August 2023. Included studies underwent meta-analysis to compare outcomes of primary closure versus VRAM flap closure of perineal wound following APR. The primary outcome of interest was perineal wound complications, and the secondary outcomes were abdominal wound complications, dehiscence, wound healing time, length of hospital stay, and mortality. RESULTS: Ten studies with 1141 patients were included. Overall, 853 patients underwent primary closure (74.8%) and 288 patients underwent VRAM (25.2%). Eight studies reported on perineal wound complications after APR: 38.2% (n = 263/688) in the primary closure group versus 32.8% (n = 80/244) in the VRAM group. Perineal complication rates were statistically significantly lower in the VRAM group versus primary closure ((M-H OR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.04-2.49;

Efficacy of embolotherapy for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: A systematic review.

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) poses a significant health, diagnostic, and economic challenges. Transcatheter embolisation has emerged as a promising treatment for PCS. A systematic review was performed in order to assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter embolisation in the treatment of PCS. A systematic search of electronic databases was performed using 'PubMed', 'Embase', 'Medline (OVID)', and 'Web of Science', for articles pertaining to efficacy of embolotherapy for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. A total of 25 studies were included in this systematic review with a combined total of 2038 patients. All patients included were female with a mean average age of 37.65 (31-51). Of the 25 studies, 18/25 studies reported pre- and post-procedural pelvic pain outcomes using a visual analogue scale (VAS). All studies showed a reduction in VAS post-procedure. Transcatheter embolisation had a high technical success rate (94%) and an overall complication rate of 9.0%, of which 10.4% were major and 89.6% were minor. Fifteen out of 19 (78.9%) major complications required a subsequent intervention. Transcatheter embolisation using various techniques is effective and safe in treating PCS. A low quality of evidence limits the currently available literature; however, embolisation has shown to improve symptoms in the majority of patients with low complication rates and recurrence rates.

Current applications and future potential of ChatGPT in radiology: A systematic review.

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the current utilization and future potential of ChatGPT, an AI-based chat model, in the field of radiology. The primary focus is on its role in enhancing decision-making processes, optimizing workflow efficiency, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and teaching within healthcare. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases. Key aspects, such as its impact on complex decision-making, workflow enhancement and collaboration, were assessed. Limitations and challenges associated with ChatGPT implementation were also examined. Overall, six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. All studies were prospective in nature. A total of 551 chatGPT (version 3.0 to 4.0) assessment events were included in our analysis. Considering the generation of academic papers, ChatGPT was found to output data inaccuracies 80% of the time. When ChatGPT was asked questions regarding common interventional radiology procedures, it contained entirely incorrect information 45% of the time. ChatGPT was seen to better answer US board-style questions when lower order thinking was required (P = 0.002). Improvements were seen between chatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 in regard to imaging questions with accuracy rates of 61 versus 85%(P = 0.009). ChatGPT was observed to have an average translational ability score of 4.27/5 on the Likert scale regarding CT and MRI findings. ChatGPT demonstrates substantial potential to augment decision-making and optimizing workflow. While ChatGPT's promise is evident, thorough evaluation and validation are imperative before widespread adoption in the field of radiology.

Radiomics; Contemporary Applications in the Management of Anal Cancer; A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The management of anal cancer relies on clinical and histopathological features for treatment decisions. In recent years, the field of radiomics, which involves the extraction and analysis of quantitative imaging features, has shown promise in improving management of pelvic cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current application of radiomics in the management of anal cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized and non-randomized trials investigating the use of radiomics to predict post-operative recurrence in anal cancer. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 and Radiomics Quality Score tools. RESULTS: The systematic review identified a total of nine studies, with 589 patients examined. There were three main outcomes assessed in included studies: recurrence (6 studies), progression-free survival (2 studies), and prediction of human papillomavirus (HPV) status (1 study). Radiomics-based risk stratification models were found to provide valuable insights into treatment response and patient outcomes, with all developed signatures demonstrating at least modest accuracy (range: .68-1.0) in predicting their primary outcome. CONCLUSION: Radiomics has emerged as a promising tool in the management of anal cancer. It offers the potential for improved risk stratification, treatment planning, and response assessment, thereby guiding personalized therapeutic approaches.

Radiogenomics: Contemporary Applications in the Management of Rectal Cancer.

Radiogenomics, a sub-domain of radiomics, refers to the prediction of underlying tumour biology using non-invasive imaging markers. This novel technology intends to reduce the high costs, workload and invasiveness associated with traditional genetic testing via the development of 'imaging biomarkers' that have the potential to serve as an alternative 'liquid-biopsy' in the determination of tumour biological characteristics. Radiogenomics also harnesses the potential to unlock aspects of tumour biology which are not possible to assess by conventional biopsy-based methods, such as full tumour burden, intra-/inter-lesion heterogeneity and the possibility of providing the information of tumour biology longitudinally. Several studies have shown the feasibility of developing a radiogenomic-based signature to predict treatment outcomes and tumour characteristics; however, many lack prospective, external validation. We performed a systematic review of the current literature surrounding the use of radiogenomics in rectal cancer to predict underlying tumour biology.

Tracheoesophageal fistula development following radiotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a patient with advanced follicular thyroid carcinoma: a case-based review.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEF) are a rare complication that can occur in patients with radioactive iodine refractory metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) following treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). METHODS: We describe the case of a TEF development in a 69-year-old male who underwent targeted therapy TKIs and adjuvant RT for radioactive iodine refractory FTC. RESULTS: In the case, staging investigations revealed a metastatic, poorly differentiated FTC refractory to radioactive iodine. After 2 years of disease control on Lenvatinib, the patient's condition progressed, necessitating a switch to Cabozantinib. Soon after, they presented with haemoptysis secondary to invasion of the primary thyroid tumour into the trachea. Radical radiotherapy (45 Gy/30 fractions) was also administered to the thyroid gland, ultimately complicated by radiation necrosis. Four months post-completion of RT and recommencing TKI, the patient presented with haemoptysis and hoarseness secondary to recurrent laryngeal nerve compression and tracheal invasion, as well as dysphagia secondary to oesophageal compression. Following an acute presentation with intractable throat pain, investigations revealed a TEF. Surgical and endoscopic management was deemed inappropriate given the patient's rapid deterioration and anatomical position of the TEF, and therefore a palliative approach was taken. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights a rare cause of TEF development in a patient having TKI therapy post-RT for advanced FTC. It highlights the importance of monitoring TEF development in this cohort of patients. It demonstrates the importance of patient counselling and education regarding treatment options and the rare side effects of treatments.

Prognostic value of pre-operative mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been shown to have some correlation to oncological outcomes in oesophageal cancer, with high pre-operative MCV associated with disease recurrence. A similar association has previously been reported in colorectal cancer. AIMS: This study is aimed at investigating whether high MCV bears similar relation to post-operative outcome and disease recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Patients undergoing elective CRC resection with curative intent between January 2008 and December 2019 were identified from our prospective database. Review of patient demographic details, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade, smoking and alcohol intake were performed. In addition, tumour location and staging, operation performed, pre-operative laboratory data and oncological management of each patient were noted. Post-operative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo (CD) score > 2), 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality and cancer recurrence were examined and multivariable regression analysis was performed to predict these outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1,293 CRCs were resected, with 1,159 patients (89.7%) experiencing a hospital course without major morbidity (CD < 3). 30-day mortality rate was less than 1% (12/1293). There were 176 patients (13.6%) with recurrence at follow-up. When multivariable regression analysis was performed, high pre-operative MCV did not predict negative post-operative or oncological outcomes. CONCLUSION: MCV does not appear to be an independent prognostic factor for outcomes following elective CRC resection.

Pelviureteric junction obstruction in adults: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a common urological disorder that can present at any stage of life. The underlying etiology in children has been well studied; however, a gap exists in the literature for the adult population. Herein, we performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the current evidence on the underlying etiologies of adult patients presenting with PUJO. Materials and methods: Four electronic databases were searched for relevant studies assessing the underlying etiologies of pelviureteric junction obstruction in adults. Studies were assessed for eligibility based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a critical appraisal of methodological quality and risk of bias was performed. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data analyses were performed. Results: Twelve studies comprising a total of 513 patients with radiologically confirmed PUJO met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. The most common finding was crossing vessels, which were observed in 50.5% of patients, followed by intrinsic ureteral stenosis (27.1%), adhesions (15.3%), and high insertion of the ureter (10.1%). Conclusions: The underlying etiologies of PUJO in adults remain unclear. This study indicated that obstruction secondary to crossing vessels is the most common cause of obstruction in adults and occurs more frequently than in the pediatric population.

Redo Pelvic Surgery and Combined Metastectomy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer with Known Oligometastatic Disease: A Multicentre Review.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, surgical resection for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) had been reserved for those without metastatic disease. 'Selective' patients with limited oligometastatic disease (OMD) (involving the liver and/or lung) are now increasingly being considered for resection, with favourable five-year survival rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing multi-visceral pelvic resection of LRRC with their oligometastatic disease between 1 January 2015 and 31 August 2021 across four centres worldwide was performed. The data collected included disease characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy details, perioperative and oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen participants with a mean age of 59 years were included. There was a female preponderance (n = 9). Nine patients had liver metastases, four had lung metastases and one had both lung and liver disease. The mean number of metastatic tumours was 1.5 +/- 0.85. R0 margins were obtained in 71.4% (n = 10) and 100% (n = 14) of pelvic exenteration and oligometastatic disease surgeries, respectively. Mean lymph node yield was 11.6 +/- 6.9 nodes, with positive nodes being found in 28.6% (n = 4) of cases. A single major morbidity was reported, with no perioperative deaths. At follow-up, the median disease-free survival and overall survival were 12.3 months (IQR 4.5-17.5 months) and 25.9 months (IQR 6.2-39.7 months), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Performing radical multi-visceral surgery for LRRC and distant oligometastatic disease appears to be feasible in appropriately selected patients that underwent good perioperative counselling.

Minimally Invasive and Open Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Optimal surgical management for gastric cancer remains controversial. We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes after open gastrectomy (OG), laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG), and robotic gastrectomy (RG) for gastric cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken. An NMA was performed as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-NMA guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using R and Shiny. RESULTS: Twenty-two RCTs including 6890 patients were included. Overall, 49.6% of patients underwent LAG (3420/6890), 46.6% underwent OG (3212/6890), and 3.7% underwent RG (258/6890). At NMA, there was a no significant difference in recurrence rates following LAG (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-1.49) compared with OG. Similarly, overall survival (OS) outcomes were identical following OG and LAG (OS: OG, 87.0% [1652/1898] vs. LAG: OG, 87.0% [1650/1896]), with no differences in OS in meta-analysis (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77-1.52). Importantly, patients undergoing LAG experienced reduced intraoperative blood loss, surgical incisions, distance from proximal margins, postoperative hospital stays, and morbidity post-resection. CONCLUSIONS: LAG was associated with non-inferior oncological and surgical outcomes compared with OG. Surgical outcomes following LAG and RG superseded OG, with similar outcomes observed for both LAG and RG. Given these findings, minimally invasive approaches should be considered for the resection of local gastric cancer, once surgeon and institutional expertise allows.