A Patient-Prioritized Research Agenda for Clinical Trials in Kidney Stone Disease.

PURPOSE: To ensure that research on kidney stones provides meaningful impact for the kidney stone community, patients and caregivers should be engaged as stakeholders in clinical trial design, starting at study inception. This project aimed to elicit, refine, and prioritize research ideas from kidney stone stakeholders to develop a patient-centered research agenda for clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Kidney Stone Engagement Core, a group of patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, and researchers, executed an iterative process of surveys and focus groups to elicit and refine research themes, which were then translated into research questions. A separate group of patients, caregivers, and clinicians prioritized these questions through parallel modified Delphi and crowd-sourced digital platforms. A research agenda was developed by the Kidney Stone Engagement Core based on the highest rated questions during a hybrid virtual/in-person capstone session. RESULTS: A total of 70 individuals (57 patients and caregivers, 13 researchers and clinicians) participated in the elicitation, 20 individuals (15 patients and caregivers, 5 researchers and clinicians) participated in refinement, and an additional 80 individuals (81 patients and caregivers, 9 researchers and clinicians) participated in prioritization. Key novel themes emerged from elicitation and refinement: ureteral stents, genetic evaluation, shared surgical decision-making, key subgroups, cumulative disease burden, genetic evaluation, and psychosocial support. Stakeholders generated 6 proposed trials from these themes focused on surveillance, surgical intervention, and medical prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and caregivers valued comparative effectiveness kidney stone research that focused on individualized care, shared decision-making, and improvement of patient-reported experiences. This process provided actionable recommendations for future patient-centered clinical trials within kidney stone disease.

Relationships between diagnostic imaging of first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis and pain, functional status, and disease progression: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the association of pain, function, and progression in first carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) with imaging biomarkers and radiography-based staging. DESIGN: Database searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, along with citation searching were conducted in accordance with published guidance. Data on the association of imaging with pain, functional status, and disease progression were extracted and synthesized, along with key information on study methodology such as sample sizes, use of control subjects, study design, number of image raters, and blinding. Methodological quality was assessed using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tools. RESULTS: After duplicate removal, a total of 1969 records were screened. Forty-six articles are included in this review, covering a total of 28,202 study participants, 7263 with first CMC OA. Osteophytes were found to be one of the strongest biomarkers for pain across imaging modalities. Radiographic findings alone showed conflicting relationships with pain. However, Kellgren-Lawrence staging showed consistent associations with pain in various studies. Radiographic, sonographic, and MRI findings and staging showed little association to tools evaluating functional status across imaging modalities. The same imaging methods showed limited ability to predict progression of first CMC OA. A major limitation was the heterogeneity in the study base, limiting synthesis of results. CONCLUSION: Imaging findings and radiography-based staging systems generally showed strong associations with pain, but not with functional status or disease progression. More research and improved imaging techniques are needed to help physicians better manage patients with first CMC OA.

Implementation and Utility of the Da Vinci SP (Single Port) in Pediatric Urology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Detail the evolution, utility, and future directions of the da Vinci SP® in pediatric urology, focusing on perioperative outcomes and intraoperative details. RECENT FINDINGS: The SP has been safely and successfully utilized in various pediatric urological procedures, from pyeloplasty to nephroureterectomy to appendicovesicostomy. Reports indicate mixed operative times but similar hospital stays and postoperative outcomes compared to multiport (MP) robotic surgery. The learning curve for transitioning from MP to SP systems in pediatric patients appears manageable, though the smaller abdominal circumference in children poses a notable challenge. This review assumes that SP systems will primarily be acquired for adult services, not considering initial and ongoing costs to hospital systems. The SP serves as a complementary option, rather than a replacement, for MP robotic surgery in pediatric urology, offering potential advantages in specific scenarios. Cosmetic outcomes with the SP appear at least as favorable as MP surgery, but further research is needed. Future research should focus on patient-centered outcomes to optimize SP robotic surgery use in pediatric patients.

Extremity radiographs derived from low-dose ultra-high-resolution CT: a phantom study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the potential of low-dose ultra-high-resolution CT (UHRCT) images to generate high-quality radiographic images on extremity phantoms and to estimate the radiation dose required for this. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hand and knee phantom containing real human bones was imaged on an UHRCT scanner at full-dose, half-dose, and quarter-dose levels using a high-resolution extremity protocol. The raw data was reconstructed using both filtered back projection (FBP) and an iterative reconstruction algorithm (AIDR3D). Using custom designed software, each CT volume data set was converted to attenuation coefficients, and then a synthesized radiograph (synDX) was generated by forward projecting the volume data sets from a point source onto a 2D synthetic detector. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the synDXs across all dose levels and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) was computed with the FD synDXs as the reference. RESULTS: The proposed workflow generates high-quality synDXs at any arbitrary angle. For FBP, the SNR largely tracked with the radiation dose levels for both the knee and hand phantoms. For the knee phantom, iterative reconstruction provided a 6.1% higher SNR when compared to FBP. The RMSE was overall higher for the lowest dose levels and monotonically decreased with increasing dose. No substantial differences were observed qualitatively in the visualization of skeletal detail of the phantoms. CONCLUSION: The fine detail provided by UHRCT acquisitions of extremities facilitates the ability to generate quality radiographs, potentially eliminating the need for additional scanning on a conventional digital radiography system.

Pre-operative imaging for surgical decision-making and the frequency of wrist arthrodesis and carpectomy procedures: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to (1) analyze the imaging modalities utilized pre-operatively that influence surgical decision-making for wrist arthrodesis and carpectomy procedures and (2) determine the type and frequency of these procedures for the treatment of wrist arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review was performed according to the guidelines of PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, peer-reviewed literature from 2011 to 2022 was searched for use of imaging in pre-operative decision-making for wrist arthrodesis and carpectomy surgical procedures. Data were compiled to determine the type(s) of imaging modalities used pre-operatively and types of surgical techniques reported in the literature. RESULTS: Of 307 articles identified, 35 articles satisfied eligibility criteria, with a total of 1377 patients (68% men; age mean, 50.9 years [range, 10-81]) and 1428 wrist surgical interventions. Radiography was reported for pre-operative planning in all articles for all patients. Pre-operative cross-sectional imaging was reported in 2 articles (5.7%), but no articles reported detailed data on how CT or MRI influenced pre-operative wrist arthrodesis and carpectomy procedure decision-making. A dozen different types of surgical techniques were reported. The four most common procedures were four-corner arthrodesis with scaphoid excision (846, 59%), proximal row carpectomy (239, 17%), total wrist arthrodesis (130, 9%), and scaphocapitate arthrodesis (53, 4%). CONCLUSION: Radiography is always used in pre-operative decision-making, but the literature lacks data on the influence of CT and MRI for selecting among a dozen different types of wrist arthrodesis and carpectomy procedures.

Prognostic factors, disparity, and equity variables impacting prognosis in bone sarcomas of the hand: SEER database review.

BACKGROUND: Primary sarcomas originating from the bones of hand and wrist are rare but carry a significant burden of morbidity. METHODS: National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database from 1975 to 2017 was queried to report incidence and survival data in 237 patients in the United States. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival. χ2 test was used to assess the correlation. RESULTS: Incidence of hand and wrist sarcoma was 0.017 per 100 000 persons in 2017 and has not significantly changed since 1975 (p > 0.05). Disease-specific 5-year and 10-year survival for the entire cohort was 90% and 84%, respectively. On multivariate analysis race "others," histology other than "osteosarcoma," "undifferentiated" grade, and size "≥6 cm" were predictors of worse disease-specific survival. Cross-tabulation of race with other significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation of race with every other significant prognostic factor except for grade. CONCLUSIONS: The current study is an analysis of a population-based registry reporting incidence and survival data for patients with sarcoma of hand and wrist. Independent prognostic factors include race, histology, grade, and size. There is a lack of improvement in survival over the last four decades.

The Biomechanical Effects of Augmentation With Flat Braided Suture on Dorsal Intercarpal Ligament Capsulodesis for Scapholunate Instability.

PURPOSE: Selecting treatment for scapholunate (SL) instability is notoriously difficult. Many methods of reconstruction have been described, but no procedure demonstrates clear superiority. New methods proposed use internal bracing (IB) with suture anchors and flat braided suture (FBS), alone or as an augmentation with tendon autograft for SL ligament injuries. Our goal was to use computed tomography (CT) to analyze alignment of the SL joint after 3 different modes of fixation of SL instability: after reconstruction with IB incorporating either tendon autograft or the dorsal intercarpal ligament (DICL), or DICL capsulodesis without FBS. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen, matched-pair, forearm-to-hand specimens were used. Serial sectioning of the SL stabilizing ligaments was performed and the SL interval was measured with CT. We reconstructed the SL ligament with DICL capsulodesis alone (DICL) or with IB augmented with either tendon autograft (IB plus T) or DICL (DICL plus IB). The SL interval was measured with CT. Specimens underwent 500 weighted cycles on a jig and were reimaged. Differences in SL interval after repair and cycling were compared. RESULTS: Dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis augmented with IB best maintained the SL interval before and after cycling. Dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis alone was inferior to DICL plus IB and IB plus T both before and after cycling. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis augmented with IB appears to maintain better SL joint reduction than IB with tendon autograft. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This work serves as a necessary step for further study of the biomechanical strength and clinical application of FBS technology in the reconstruction of SL instability. Flat braided suture augmentation of DICL capsulodesis may provide another option to consider for reconstruction of SL instability.

The Biomechanical Effects of Simulated Radioscapholunate Fusion With Distal Scaphoidectomy, 4-Corner Fusion With Complete Scaphoidectomy, and Proximal Row Carpectomy Compared to the Native Wrist.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of simulated radioscapholunate fusion with distal scaphoid excision (RSLF+DSE), 4-corner fusion with scaphoidectomy (4-CF), and proximal row carpectomy (PRC) on the wrist's range of motion (ROM), contact pressure, and contact force in a cadaveric model. METHODS: Ten freshly frozen cadaveric wrists were tested under 4 sequential conditions: native wrist, RSLF+DSE, 4-CF, and PRC. The simulated fusions were performed using two 1.6-mm Kirschner wires. The ROM in the flexion-extension and radioulnar deviation planes was evaluated. Contact area, contact pressure, and contact force were measured at the scaphocapitolunate joint for the RSLF+DSE simulation and radiocarpal joint for the 4-CF and PRC simulations. Mechanical testing was performed using a 35-N uniaxial load and pressure-sensitive film. RESULTS: The RSLF+DSE and 4-CF groups had a decreased wrist arc ROM compared with the native wrist. The PRC group had a greater wrist arc ROM compared with the RSLF+DSE and 4-CF groups, but compared to the native wrist, it demonstrated a mildly decreased wrist arc ROM. The carpal pressure and contact force were significantly increased in the RSLF+DSE, 4-CF, and PRC groups compared with those in the native wrist. The RSLF+DSE group had the smallest increase in the carpal pressure and contact force, whereas the PRC group had the greatest increase. CONCLUSIONS: Our study validates previous findings that PRC is motion-conserving but has the greatest contact force, whereas RSLF-DSE and 4-CF may cause a decrease in the ROM but have lower contact forces. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the underlying native wrist biomechanics and alterations following different surgical treatments may assist hand surgeons in their clinical decision making for the treatment of stage II scapholunate advanced collapse.

Immediate increase of plasma protein complement C3 in response to an acute stressor.

Whereas chronic stress has immunosuppressive effects, the more immediate immunologic consequences of acute stressors are less known. We postulated that, as part of their 'fight or flight' response, rainbow trout would rapidly increase the efficacy of their natural immune system by means of increased concentrations of crucial plasma proteins. Plasma samples were taken from resting fish and from fish 5, 10 or 20 min after initiation of a stressful regime. Using crossed immunoelectrophoresis, we documented increases in concentrations of complement C3 and 3 other proteins within 5 min of initiation of stress. The concentration of C3 nearly doubled within 10 min of initiation of stress and had returned to near resting level by 20 min. This rapid kinetics preclude dependence on gene activation, the basis of the acute phase response. Potentiation of natural immunity, which can reasonably be expected to be selectively advantageous during or immediately after acute stressors may be one result of this increase.

Dynamic MRI of the wrist in less than 20 seconds: normal midcarpal motion and reader reliability.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the normal motion pattern at the midcarpal compartment during active radial-ulnar deviation of the wrist using dynamic MRI, and to determine the observer performance for measurements obtained in asymptomatic volunteers. METHODS: Dynamic MRI of 35 wrists in 19 asymptomatic volunteers (age mean 30.4 years, SD 8.6) was performed during active radial-ulnar deviation using a fast gradient-echo pulse sequence with 315 ms temporal resolution (acquisition time, 19 s). Two independent readers measured the transverse translation of the trapezium at the scaphotrapezium joint (STJ) and the capitate-to-triquetrum distance (CTD). Relationships between these measurements and laterality, sex, lunate type, and wrist kinematic pattern were evaluated. RESULTS: At the STJ, the trapezium moved most in radial deviation, with an overall translation of 2.3 mm between ulnar and radial deviation. Mean CTD measurements were the greatest in ulnar deviation and varied 2.4 mm between ulnar and radial deviation. Mean CTD was greater in men than women in the neutral position (p = 0.019), and in wrists with type II lunate morphology during radial and ulnar deviation (p = 0.001, p = 0.014). There were no significant differences in trapezium translation or CTD with wrist laterality and kinematic pattern. Intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients were 0.97 and 0.87 for trapezium translation and 0.84 and 0.67 for CTD. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to demonstrate the performance of dynamic MRI to quantify STJ motion and CTD. Dynamic MRI with a short acquisition time may be used as a tool to supplement static MRI in evaluation of the midcarpal compartment.

The Effect of Radioscapholunate Fusion With and Without Distal Scaphoid and Triquetrum Excision on Capitolunate Contact Pressures.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of motion-increasing modifications to radioscapholunate (RSL) arthrodesis on capitolunate contact pressure in cadaveric wrist specimens. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric wrists were dissected of all superficial soft tissue, potted in polymethyl-methacrylate, and the carpus exposed via a ligament-sparing capsulotomy. An RSL arthrodesis was simulated using 2 2.4-mm distal radius plates with locking screws. The distal scaphoid pole and triquetrum were removed with an osteotome and rongeur, respectively. Contact area, pressure, and force were measured in the capitolunate joint during the application of a 35-N uniaxial load using pressure-sensitive film. Measurements were obtained before and after simulated RSL fusion, following distal scaphoidectomy and after triquetrectomy. RESULTS: The combination of RSL fusion with distal scaphoid excision (DSE) increased contact forces in the capitolunate joint by 50% over controls. An RSL fusion, and RSL fusion with DSE and triquetrum excision (TE), exhibited intermediate levels of contact force between controls and RSL fusion with DSE. Capitolunate contact pressures were similar between all experimental groups. Contact area in the capitolunate joint increased by 43% after RSL fusion with DSE over intact specimen controls. Lastly, contact area in wrists with RSL fusion, and RSL fusion with DSE and TE, were elevated, but not significantly different from intact controls. CONCLUSIONS: A DSE performed at the time of RSL fusion results in increased midcarpal joint contact force and area, with resultant contact pressures unchanged. Triquetrectomy, which has been previously shown to improve range of motion, did not increase contact forces in the capitolunate joint. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: If a surgeon is contemplating performing an RSL arthrodesis with DSE, we recommend adding a triquetrectomy to improve motion because this does not add to the potentially deleterious effects of increased midcarpal contact force.

Using a kidney pump to perfuse a free filet flap for reconstruction after hemipelvectomy: A case report.

Long ischemia times adversely affect free flap survival, and large muscle flaps are particularly vulnerable. Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) is a well-established method of organ preservation, and recent literature has detailed the use of HMP to extend free flap ischemia times, predominantly in the laboratory setting. One limitation in the study and adoption of free flap HMP has been the availability of standardized perfusion machinery, as thus far institutions have built their own devices. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma of her right proximal femur. She underwent a "spare parts" surgery using a filet flap from her lower leg. Due to an obligate long ischemia time between flap harvest and revascularization, a kidney transplant perfusion pump was used to flush and cool the flap. After completion of the disarticulation, free tissue transfer proceeded successfully. The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course until developing a local recurrence at three months post-resection. We believe that the perfusion technology already created for solid organ transplant will have expanding indications in the future of free tissue transfer and limb replantation.

Role of urinary tract infection in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We sought to examine the literature reporting the effect of urinary tract infection (UTI) on non-schistosomiasis-related UBC (UBCNS) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A predefined study protocol was developed according to PRISMA. Medline and Scopus were searched for all studies investigating exposure to UTI with UBCNS as the primary outcome. Potential studies were screened against eligibility criteria. Clinical heterogeneity was assessed and groups with more than two studies were evaluated by random effect meta-analysis. Study-level bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). In cases of substantial between study heterogeneity (I2 > 50%), predefined sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of 16 eligible studies, eight case-control studies spanning four decades and five countries were suitable for quantitative analysis. Main analysis favored exposure to UTI increasing risk of subsequent UBCNS (RR 1.33 [95% CI 1.14-1.55]). This effect was no longer statistically significant after excluding studies published prior to year 2000 and at high risk of bias. Between study heterogeneity was considerable for nearly all analyses and not reduced by predefined sensitivity or subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Exposure to UTI favors increased risk for UBCNS, particularly in men, but these effects were statistically insignificant when pooling data from the most recent and highest quality studies. These data do not support findings of previously published studies, that report on heterogenous populations with poor definitions of UTI and minimal control for important confounders. Results from previous studies should be viewed as hypothesis generating. This review highlights the need for higher quality investigation.

Testicular Torsion Presentation Trends before and after Pediatric Urology Subspecialty Certification.

PURPOSE: We examined testicular torsion presentation and referral trends at our institution before and after pediatric urology subspecialty certification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed patients with testicular torsion presenting directly to our pediatric hospital emergency department ("direct") or transferred urgently from an outside institution ("referred") who underwent detorsion and orchiopexy or orchiectomy between 2005 and 2015. Presentations were considered acute (less than 24 hours) or delayed (24 hours or greater) based on time from symptom onset. Primary outcomes were case volume and presentation trends through time. Secondary outcomes were effect of presenting location and transport variables on orchiectomy rate. RESULTS: Incidence of testicular torsion increased from 15 cases in 2005 to 32 in 2015. Annual incidence of direct cases increased slightly during the study period from 12 to 17, whereas incidence of referred cases increased from 3 in 2005 to 15 in 2015. Proportion of referred acute cases markedly increased from precertification (4 of 63, 6.3%) to postcertification period (42 of 155, 27.1%; p <0.01). The majority of referred cases (59 of 83, 71.1%) presented during weekday nights or weekends compared to a minority of direct cases (59 of 135, 43.7%; p <0.01). Orchiectomy rates were similar between direct and referred cases across all study periods and were not significantly impacted by presentation location, transport distance or transport modality (all p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with testicular torsion have been increasingly referred to our institution, with the majority presenting on weekday nights and weekends. Our data do not support routinely transferring these patients to dedicated pediatric hospitals.

Factors Associated with Delayed Presentation and Misdiagnosis of Testicular Torsion: A Case-Control Study.

We identified factors associated with delay in presentation and misdiagnosis of testicular torsion. Compared with acute cases, delayed presentations were more likely to report isolated abdominal pain, developmental disorders, and history of recent genital trauma. Failure to perform a genitourinary examination or scrotal imaging was associated with misdiagnosis.

Association of lunate morphology, sex, and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament injury with radiologic measurement of the capitate-triquetrum joint.

OBJECTIVE: Radiologic presentation of carpal instability at the radial side of the carpus, e.g. scapholunate diastasis following scapholunate interosseous ligament injury, has been studied extensively. By comparison, presentation at the ulnar-sided carpus has not. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of lunate morphology, sex, and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL) status on the radiologic measurement of the capitate-triquetrum joint (C-T distance). Further, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of C-T distance for assessing LTIL injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 223 wrists with wrist radiographs and MR arthrograms with contrast injection. Data collected included sex, lunate morphology and LTIL status from MR arthrography, and C-T distance from radiography. The effects of lunate morphology, sex, and LTIL injury status on C-T distance were evaluated using generalized linear models. Diagnostic performance of C-T distance was assessed by the area under receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lunate morphology, sex, and LTIL injury status all had significant effects on C-T distance; wrists with type II lunates, men, and wrists with LTIL injuries had greater C-T distances than wrists with type I lunates, women, and wrists without LTIL injuries, respectively (p < 0.01). The diagnostic value of the C-T distance for identifying patients with full-thickness LTIL tears was sufficient for women with type I (AUROC = 0.67) and type II lunates (0.60) and good for men with type I (0.72) and type II lunates (0.77). The demonstrated influence of LTIL status on C-T distance supports the use of C-T distance as a tool in assessing for full-thickness LTIL tears.