Analysis of hippocampal local field potentials by diffusion mapped delay coordinates.

Spatial navigation through novel spaces and to known goal locations recruits multiple integrated structures in the mammalian brain. Within this extended network, the hippocampus enables formation and retrieval of cognitive spatial maps and contributes to decision making at choice points. Exploration and navigation to known goal locations produce synchronous activity of hippocampal neurons resulting in rhythmic oscillation events in local networks. Power of specific oscillatory frequencies and numbers of these events recorded in local field potentials correlate with distinct cognitive aspects of spatial navigation. Typically, oscillatory power in brain circuits is analyzed with Fourier transforms or short-time Fourier methods, which involve assumptions about the signal that are likely not true and fail to succinctly capture potentially informative features. To avoid such assumptions, we applied a method that combines manifold discovery techniques with dynamical systems theory, namely diffusion maps and Takens' time-delay embedding theory, that avoids limitations seen in traditional methods. This method, called diffusion mapped delay coordinates (DMDC), when applied to hippocampal signals recorded from juvenile rats freely navigating a Y-maze, replicates some outcomes seen with standard approaches and identifies age differences in dynamic states that traditional analyses are unable to detect. Thus, DMDC may serve as a suitable complement to more traditional analyses of LFPs recorded from behaving subjects that may enhance information yield.

Carbohydrate antigen 125-guided pre-TAVI medical optimization: impact on quality of life and clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), a biomarker associated with fluid overload, has proven useful in managing diuretic therapy in heart failure. We aimed to evaluate the impact of diuretic optimization guided by CA125 before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on outcomes. METHODS: This prospective interventional study enrolled patients scheduled for TAVI, in whom baseline CA125 was measured 2 weeks before TAVI. Patients with CA125 ≥ 20 U/mL underwent diuretic up-titration before TAVI. Three groups were included: group I) baseline CA125 <20 U/mL; IIa) CA125 ≥ 20 U/mL that decreased after treatment, and IIb) CA125 ≥ 20 U/mL that did not decrease. The primary outcome was changes in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire at 3 and 12 months. The secondary endpoint was clinical events. RESULTS: The study included 184 patients (115 group I, 46 IIa, and 23 IIb). Groups I and IIa exhibited early and sustained improvements in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (group I: 18.9 points [95%CI, 15.7-22.1; P <.001] at 90 days, and 18.1 [95%CI, 14.9-21.4, P <.001] at 1 year; group IIa: 21.1 points [95%CI, 15.4-26.7; P <.001] and 19.5 [95%CI, 13.9-25.1; P <.001] respectively). In contrast, in group IIb there was no significant improvement at 90 days (P=.12), with improvement being significant only at 1 year (17.8 points, 95%CI, 5.9-29.6; P=.003). Over a median follow-up of 20.7 months, there were 63 (27.83%) deaths or heart failure admissions. Multivariate analysis showed a lower risk of events in group I vs IIb (HR, 0.28; 95%CI, 0.14-0.58; P <.001), and IIa vs IIb (HR, 0.24; 95%CI, 0.11-0.55; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with persistently high CA125 despite diuretic therapy pre-TAVI showed slower functional recovery and poorer clinical outcomes after TAVI.

[Results of all-inside arthroscopic meniscal sutures, mid-term review]. / Resultado de suturas meniscales por técnica artroscópica ''todo adentro'', revisión a mediano plazo.

INTRODUCTION: all-in meniscal suture devices have evolved and simplified meniscal repair. In this study we will formulate the following research questions: what is the rate of survival and failure? What are the risk factors associated with failure? And what are the functional results after meniscal repair surgery? MATERIAL AND METHODS: ambispective study from 2001 to 2021 of patients with repairable meniscal injury with all-in meniscal suture devices. The survival and failure ratio were obtained with the Kaplan-Meier test, the risk factors associated with meniscal suture failure were assessed with the logistic regression test, and the pre- and post-surgical functional results were estimated with the test. t-Student. RESULTS: in 20 years of follow-up of 316 menisci repaired with all-in meniscal sutures, a survival rate of 95.9% was obtained. The absence of injury to the anterior horn of the meniscus was shown to be a protective factor [OR = 0.12], together with not practicing impact sports [OR = 0.2]. Post-surgery IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm results were shown to be very good to excellent (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: all-in meniscal suture devices are and will continue to be front-line weapons in the repair of meniscal tears. In 20 years of follow-up, a lower failure rate was evidenced, associated with excellent functional results.

INTRODUCCIÓN: los dispositivos de suturas meniscal todo adentro han evolucionado y simplificado la reparación meniscal. En este estudio formulamos las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿cuál es la tasa de supervivencia y falla?, ¿cuáles son los factores de riesgo asociado a falla? y ¿cuáles son los resultados funcionales posterior a la cirugía de reparación meniscal? MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio ambispectivo desde el 2001 al 2021 de pacientes con lesión meniscal reparable con dispositivos meniscales de sutura todo adentro. La razón de supervivencia y falla se obtuvo con el test de Kaplan-Meier, los factores de riesgo asociado con falla de la sutura meniscal se valoraron con el test de regresión logística y los resultados funcionales pre y postquirúrgicos fueron estimados con la prueba t-Student. RESULTADOS: en 20 años de seguimiento de 316 menisco reparados con suturas meniscal todo adentro se obtuvo que la razón de supervivencia de 95.9%. La ausencia de lesión del cuerno anterior del menisco se mostró como un factor protector [OR = 0.12], junto a la no práctica de deportes de impacto [OR = 0.2]. Se mostraron resultados del IKDC y Tegner-Lysholm posterior a la cirugía de muy buenos a excelentes (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIÓN: los dispositivos de sutura de meniscal todo adentro son y seguirán siendo armas de primera línea en la reparación de las roturas meniscales. En 20 años de seguimiento se evidenció una menor tasa de falla, asociados con excelentes resultados funcionales.

Transmission ratio distortion detection by neutral genetic markers in the Pura Raza Española horse breed.

Transmission Ratio Distortion (TRD) is a genetic phenomenon widely demonstrated in several livestock species, but barely in equine species. The TRD occurs when certain genotypes are over- or under-represented in the offspring of a particular mating and can be caused by a variety of factors during gamete formation or during embryonic development. For this study, 126 394 trios consisting of a stallion, mare, and offspring were genotyped using a panel of 17 neutral microsatellite markers recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics for paternity tests and individual identification. The number of alleles available for each marker ranges from 13 to 18, been 268 the total number of alleles investigated. The TRDscan v.2.0 software was used with the biallelic procedure to identify regions with distorted segregation ratios. After completing the analysis, a total of 12 alleles (out of 11 microsatellites) were identified with decisive evidence for genotypic TRD; 3 and 9 with additive and heterosis patterns, respectively. In addition, 19 alleles (out of 10 microsatellites) were identified displaying allelic TRD. Among them, 14 and 5 were parent-unspecific and stallion-mare-specific TRD. Out of the TRD regions, 24 genes were identified and annotated, predominantly associated with cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis. These genes are often linked to non-specific symptoms like impaired fertility, stunted growth, and compromised overall health. The results suggest a significant impact on the inheritance of certain genetic traits in horses. Further analysis and validation are needed to better understand the TRD impact before the potential implementation in the horse breeding programme strategies.

Study of the

The ^{22}Mg(α,p)^{25}Al reaction rate has been identified as a major source of uncertainty for understanding the nucleosynthesis flow in Type-I x-ray bursts. We report a direct measurement of the energy- and angle-integrated cross sections of this reaction in a 3.3-6.9 MeV center-of-mass energy range using the MUlti-Sampling Ionization Chamber (MUSIC). The new ^{22}Mg(α,p)^{25}Al reaction rate is a factor of ∼4 higher than the previous direct measurement of this reaction within temperatures relevant for x-ray bursts, resulting in the ^{22}Mg waiting point of x-ray burst nucleosynthesis flow to be significantly bypassed via the (α,p) reaction.

Nonlinear Weighting Ensemble Learning Model to Diagnose Parkinson's Disease Using Multimodal Data.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder among adults. Although its triggers are still not clear, they may be due to a combination of different types of biomarkers measured through medical imaging, metabolomics, proteomics or genetics, among others. In this context, we have proposed a Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system that combines structural and functional imaging data from subjects in Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative dataset by means of an Ensemble Learning methodology trained to identify and penalize input sources with low classification rates and/ or high-variability. This proposal improves results published in recent years and provides an accurate solution not only from the point of view of image preprocessing (including a comparison between different intensity preservation techniques), but also in terms of dimensionality reduction methods (Isomap). In addition, we have also introduced a bagging classification schema for scenarios with unbalanced data. As shown by our results, the CAD proposal is able to detect PD with [Formula: see text] of balanced accuracy, and opens up the possibility of combining any number of input data sources relevant for PD.

The expression of ceruloplasmin in astrocytes is essential for postnatal myelination and myelin maintenance in the adult brain.

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a ferroxidase enzyme that is essential for cell iron efflux. The absence of this protein in humans and rodents produces progressive neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Astrocytes express high levels of Cp and iron efflux from these cells has been shown to be central for oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. To explore the role of astrocytic Cp in brain development and aging we generated a specific conditional KO mouse for Cp in astrocytes (Cp cKO). Deletion of Cp in astrocytes during the first postnatal week induced hypomyelination and a significant delay in oligodendrocyte maturation. This abnormal myelin synthesis was exacerbated throughout the first two postnatal months and accompanied by a reduction in oligodendrocyte iron content, as well as an increase in brain oxidative stress. In contrast to young animals, deletion of astrocytic Cp at 8 months of age engendered iron accumulation in several brain areas and neurodegeneration in cortical regions. Aged Cp cKO mice also showed myelin loss and oxidative stress in oligodendrocytes and neurons, and at 18 months of age, developed abnormal behavioral profiles, including deficits in locomotion and short-term memory. In summary, our results demonstrate that iron efflux-mediated by astrocytic Cp-is essential for both early oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin integrity in the mature brain. Additionally, our data suggest that astrocytic Cp activity is central to prevent iron accumulation and iron-induced oxidative stress in the aging CNS.

El rol del laboratorio en los hallazgos de intoxicación y exposición a monóxido de carbono / The role of the laboratory in findings of carbon monoxide poisoning and exposure

El monóxido de carbono es un gas altamente tóxico que se origina principalmente por la combustión incompleta de combustibles fósiles. La intoxicación presenta síntomas inespecíficos que solapan otras patologías y por lo tanto es indispensable la confirmación mediante la medición de la carboxihemoglobina en sangre. El laboratorio incorporó la determinación en el informe del estado ácido base a partir de octubre del 2018, debido a que previamente el médico debía solicitarla frente a la sospecha de una intoxicación. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar si esta medida implementada por el laboratorio contribuyó a mejorar el diagnóstico de intoxicación por CO, analizar las características de los pacientes con COHb mayor o igual a 5% y definir un valor de reporte inmediato para la COHb. El 46% de los casos con COHb mayor o igual a 5% no se relacionaban con una intoxicación y/o exposición a CO. De los casos de intoxicación se encontró que el 77% fueron diagnosticados a partir de la sospecha médica y un 23% por hallazgo del laboratorio. Se concluyó que es de mucha utilidad el rol del laboratorio en detectar aquellos casos que no fueron evidentes clínicamente. Existen ciertas patologías como las oncológicas o la enfermedad de Wilson donde se vieron valores elevados de COHb sin presentar intoxicación y se definió finalmente, como valor de reporte inmediato 7% para la COHb. (AU)

Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that originates mainly from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Intoxication causes nonspecific symptoms that overlap with other conditions and, therefore, confirmation by measuring blood carboxyhemoglobin is essential. The laboratory incorporated the measurement in the acid-base status report as of October 2018, as it was previously required to be requested by the physician in case of suspected intoxication. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this measure implemented by the laboratory contributed to the improvement of the diagnosis of CO intoxication, to analyze the characteristics of patients with COHb greater than or equal to 5% and to define an immediate reporting value for COHb. Overall, 46% of the cases with COHb greater than or equal to 5% were not related to CO poisoning and/or exposure. Of the cases of intoxication, 77% were diagnosed based on medical suspicion and 23% on laboratory findings. It was concluded that the laboratory has a useful role in detecting cases that were not clinically evident. There are certain diseases including different types of cancer or Wilson's disease where elevated COHb values were seen without intoxication and finally, 7% for COHb was defined as the immediate reporting value (AU)

Prevalence of neurological complications in infective endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological complications are the most frequent type of extracardiac complications of infective endocarditis (IE), and can be the initial manifestation. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of neurological complications in patients with IE and to evaluate whether initial presentation with neurological symptoms causes a diagnostic delay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with IE admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2020. RESULTS: The study included 222 patients with IE (67% men; mean [SD] age, 66.4 [14.2] years). Neurological complications occurred in 21.2% of patients, with ischaemic stroke (74.5%) and intracerebral haemorrhage (23.4%) being the most frequent. No differences in diagnostic delay were found between the group of patients in whom the disease manifested with neurological complications and the rest of the patients (4.4 vs 4.5; P = .76). CONCLUSIONS: A total of 21.2% of patients with IE presented neurological complications, with ischaemic stroke being the most frequent. Neurological symptoms as the initial manifestation of IE did not lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Symptoms and pathophysiology of cluster headache. Approach to combined occipital and supraorbital neurostimulation.

Cluster headache (CH) is included under section 3 - Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TAC) of the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. It is one of the most frequent, painful and disabling primary headaches. Acute and preventive pharmacological treatments are often poorly tolerated and of limited effectiveness. Due to improved understanding of the pathophysiology of CH, neuromodulation devices are now considered safe and effective options for preventive and acute treatment of CH. In this paper, we review the information available to date, and present the case of a patient with disabling cluster headache highly resistant to medical treatment who underwent implantation of a peripheral nerve neurostimulation system to stimulate the supraorbital nerves (SON) and greater occipital nerve (GON) in our Pain Unit. We also review the diagnostic criteria for CH, the state of the knowledge on the pathophysiology of CH, and the role played by neuromodulation in treating this condition.

Clínica y fisiopatología de la cefalea en racimos. Acercamiento a la indicación de neuroestimulación combinada occipital y supraorbitaria / Symptoms and pathophysiology of cluster headache. Approach to combined occipital and supraorbital neurostimulation

La cefalea en racimos (CR) se encuadra dentro del apartado 3 de la clasificación de la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas (IHS), que es el reservado para las llamadas cefaleas trigémino autonómicas (CTA). Se trata de uno de los procesos de cefalea primaria más frecuentes, dolorosos e incapacitantes. Los tratamientos farmacológicos agudos y preventivos son, en muchos casos, mal tolerados y de efectividad limitada. Debido a la mejora en la comprensión de su fisiopatología de la CR, los dispositivos de neuromodulación se han posicionado como opciones seguras y eficaces de tratamiento preventivo y el tratamiento agudo de la CR. Haremos un recorrido sobre la información disponible hasta el momento y además, exponemos el caso de un paciente con CR incapacitante, muy resistente al tratamiento médico, tratado en nuestra Unidad del Dolor con el implante de un sistema de neuroestimulación de nervio periférico de nervios supraorbitario (SON) y nervio occipital mayor (GON). A continuación revisaremos los criterios diagnósticos que la definen la CR, lo datos que conocemos, a día de hoy, sobre su fisiopatología y la posición que ocupa actualmente la neuromodulación en el abordaje terapéutico de la misma. Con la descripción del caso clínico de un paciente tratado en nuestra Unidad del Dolor con una cefalea especialmente severa y resistente al tratamiento farmacológico.(AU)

Cluster headache (CH) is included under section 3 - Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TAC) of the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. It is one of the most frequent, painful and disabling primary headaches. Acute and preventive pharmacological treatments are often poorly tolerated and of limited effectiveness. Due to improved understanding of the pathophysiology of CH, neuromodulation devices are now considered safe and effective options for preventive and acute treatment of CH. In this paper, we review the information available to date, and present the case of a patient with disabling cluster headache highly resistant to medical treatment who underwent implantation of a peripheral nerve neurostimulation system to stimulate the supraorbital nerves (SON) and greater occipital nerve (GON) in our Pain Unit. We also review the diagnostic criteria for CH, the state of the knowledge on the pathophysiology of CH, and the role played by neuromodulation in treating this condition.(AU)

Robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy for renal transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation remains the definitive treatment for end-stage renal disease. Currently employed minimally invasive techniques include robotic-assisted laparoscopy and laparoscopy. This study aims to determine whether either method provides an advantage. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted. Data were analysed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included. Operative time and operative bleeding were similar between both approaches, with a mean difference (MD) of 16min (95% confidence interval (CI) -4.06, 37.38; p = 0.11) and 10.44ml (95% CI -43.89, 64.78; p = 0.71), respectively. Robotics had longer warm ischemia time (MD 1.14min; 95% CI 0.65, 1.63; p = 0.00001) but reduced length of stay (LOS) (MD -0.23days; 95% CI -0.45, -0.01; p = 0.04) and pain (MD -1.26 VAS; 95% CI -1.77, 0.75). Similar complication and conversion rates were seen among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic approaches provide a viable alternative to laparoscopic surgery. Operative time, bleeding volumes, complications and conversion rates are similar between both techniques; apparent robotic advantages on LOS and Pain need to be better analysed by future studies.

Therapeutic intervention with virtual reality in patients with Parkinson's disease for upper limb motor training: A systematic review.

To analyze the scientific evidence regarding changes in upper extremities in patients with Parkinson's disease who use virtual reality as part of their neurological rehabilitation treatment. The search was carried out in the following databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PEDROs and SCOPUS. The following inclusion criteria were applied to a total of 106 articles: Randomized clinical trials with an age of 5 years, the sample had to be of patients with PD (regardless of their state of involvement) and who had performed RV in the treatment of limbs superiors. A total of n=7 articles were used, in which the variables corresponding to upper limb motor control were measured, such as: fine motor dexterity, gross motor dexterity, strength, tremor, functionality and speed. Virtual Reality as tool in neurorehabilitation in patients with Parkinson's disease shows positive effects in all measurements related to upper limb motor control.

Telehealth Care in a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems have increased their telehealth services to meet the changing public health needs. Before the pandemic, telehealth was used primarily in surgical specialties for postoperative visits and rural medicine. However, out of necessity, nearly all medical and surgical subspecialties incorporated this virtual technology to improve patient health care access in a short time. Few studies have addressed telehealth in pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) to date. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the large-scale utilization of telehealth visits, assess patient experience, and improve access to care in a large academic ambulatory gynecology PAG clinic METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional quality improvement study was performed by administering patient surveys and compiling aggregate data from the EPIC electronic health record in the Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology clinics at a single children's hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Patient demographic characteristics, payer characteristics, visit type and purpose, and patient experience were reviewed. INTERVENTIONS: Wider expansion of telehealth in PAG clinics at a single institution RESULTS: A total of 6159 telehealth appointments were performed, involving 6 clinic sites and 9 providers. Telehealth visits constituted 50% of the total ambulatory volume (12,527). Most patients were located within the institution's state (99.5%), and the remaining called into their telehealth visits from a neighboring state. Most patients were 18 years of age or younger (73%). Video visits lasted 15-30 minutes and included routine follow-up (66.3%), new/consult visits (28.4%), postoperative visits (1.6%), and urgent follow-up (0.2%). The patient population was ethnically diverse by self-identification: 61.4% White, 38.4% Hispanic, 16% Black, 4.4% Asian, and 0.4% Native Hawaiian/American Indian/Alaska Native. Payer mix included self-pay (45.5%), private payer (32.2%), and Medicaid/CHIP (22.3%). Conditions seen ranged from menstrual management (71%) and routine preventive or acute gynecologic concerns (21%) to surgical evaluation for congenital anomalies, endometriosis, fertility preservation, and genital concerns or pelvic masses (8%). Telehealth visits met patient expectations for 87.3% of respondents. Patient-reported opportunities for improvement included improving set-up instructions and more consistent audio/video connections. Challenges identified by providers included difficulty utilizing interpreters, technology limitations, and privacy constraints during HEADSS examination. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates how a large, diverse volume of patients with PAG needs received appropriate care through a telehealth format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were satisfied with the services, but opportunities for improvement were elicited to allow for continued refining of this health care delivery tool in the future.

The 2021 SIIM-FISABIO-RSNA Machine Learning COVID-19 Challenge: Annotation and Standard Exam Classification of COVID-19 Chest Radiographs.

We describe the curation, annotation methodology, and characteristics of the dataset used in an artificial intelligence challenge for detection and localization of COVID-19 on chest radiographs. The chest radiographs were annotated by an international group of radiologists into four mutually exclusive categories, including "typical," "indeterminate," and "atypical appearance" for COVID-19, or "negative for pneumonia," adapted from previously published guidelines, and bounding boxes were placed on airspace opacities. This dataset and respective annotations are available to researchers for academic and noncommercial use.

Cáncer de testículo asociado a microlitiasis testicular / Association between testicular cancer and microlithiasis

Introducción: En la actualidad no existe evidencia que determine de forma concreta la relación entre microlitiasis testicular sola o en relación con otros factores como elemento de riesgo para el desarrollo de tumores testiculares, además de no existir recomendaciones claras sobre el seguimiento de esta condición. El objetivo de esta revisión es aportar con una guía para el seguimiento de estos pacientes basado en la evidencia de la literatura. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de literatura durante diciembre de 2021 en PubMed, base de datos Cochrane y TRIP Database, la selección de los artículos se realizó por medio de las recomendaciones de PRISMA 2020. Resultados: Un total de 4 revisiones sistemáticas fueron seleccionadas para el trabajo final. Se logró determinar que la asociación de microlitiasis testicular a otros factores de riesgo incrementa aún más el riesgo de desarrollo de cáncer, sin embargo, en ausencia de estos factores el riesgo el riesgo de cáncer testicular es similar al de la población general. Conclusiones: En pacientes con riesgo de desarrollo de cáncer testicular se recomienda un seguimiento individualizado dependiendo de la edad, de los factores de riesgo asociados, de la infertilidad y del síndrome de disgenesia testicular, para poder determinar la necesidad de seguimiento versus realización de biopsia testicular. (AU)

Introduction: Currently, no evidence determines the relationship between testicular microlithiasis by itself, or in relation with other factors, as a risk factor for the development of testicular tumors. There are no clear recommendations regarding the follow-up of this medical condition. Therefore, this review aims to provide a guide to monitoring these patients, supported by the literature. Methodology: A literature review was carried out in December 2021 in PubMed, Cochrane, and TRIP Database, and the selection of the articles was made following the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. Results: Overall, the four systematic reviews chosen to conduct the final study determined that the combination of microlithiasis testicular with other risk factors further increased cancer development. However, the likelihood of testicular cancer risk is similar to that of the general population. Conclusions: Patients at risk of developing testicular cancer should undergo personalized monitoring according to their age, associated risk factors, infertility, and testicular dysgenesis syndrome to determine their follow-up needs or perform a testicular biopsy. (AU)

Association between testicular cancer and microlithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, no evidence determines the relationship between testicular microlithiasis by itself, or in relation with other factors, as a risk factor for the development of testicular tumors. There are no clear recommendations regarding the follow-up of this medical condition. Therefore, this review aims to provide a guide to monitoring these patients, supported by the literature. METHODOLOGY: A literature review was carried out in December 2021 in PubMed, Cochrane, and Trip databases, and the selection of the articles was made following the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. RESULTS: Overall, the four systematic reviews chosen to conduct the final study determined that the combination of microlithiasis testicular with other risk factors further increased cancer development. However, the likelihood of testicular cancer risk is similar to that of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at risk of developing testicular cancer should undergo personalized monitoring according to their age, associated risk factors, infertility, and testicular dysgenesis syndrome to determine their follow-up needs or perform a testicular biopsy.