Effect of testosterone therapy on breast tissue composition and mammographic breast density in trans masculine individuals.

BACKGROUND: The effect of gender-affirming testosterone therapy (TT) on breast cancer risk is unclear. This study investigated the association between TT and breast tissue composition and breast tissue density in trans masculine individuals (TMIs). METHODS: Of the 444 TMIs who underwent chest-contouring surgeries between 2013 and 2019, breast tissue composition was assessed in 425 TMIs by the pathologists (categories of lobular atrophy and stromal composition) and using our automated deep-learning algorithm (% epithelium, % fibrous stroma, and % fat). Forty-two out of 444 TMIs had mammography prior to surgery and their breast tissue density was read by a radiologist. Mammography digital files, available for 25/42 TMIs, were analyzed using the LIBRA software to obtain percent density, absolute dense area, and absolute non-dense area. Linear regression was used to describe the associations between duration of TT use and breast tissue composition or breast tissue density measures, while adjusting for potential confounders. Analyses stratified by body mass index were also conducted. RESULTS: Longer duration of TT use was associated with increasing degrees of lobular atrophy (p < 0.001) but not fibrous content (p = 0.82). Every 6 months of TT was associated with decreasing amounts of epithelium (exp(ß) = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95,0.98, adj p = 0.005) and fibrous stroma (exp(ß) = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98,1.00, adj p = 0.05), but not fat (exp(ß) = 1.01, 95%CI 0.98,1.05, adj p = 0.39). The effect of TT on breast epithelium was attenuated in overweight/obese TMIs (exp(ß) = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95,1.01, adj p = 0.14). When comparing TT users versus non-users, TT users had 28% less epithelium (exp(ß) = 0.72, 95% CI 0.58,0.90, adj p = 0.003). There was no association between TT and radiologist's breast density assessment (p = 0.58) or LIBRA measurements (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TT decreases breast epithelium, but this effect is attenuated in overweight/obese TMIs. TT has the potential to affect the breast cancer risk of TMIs. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the effect of TT on breast density and breast cancer risk.

Effect of testosterone therapy on breast tissue composition and mammographic breast density in trans masculine individuals.

Objective: Determine the association between TT and breast tissue composition and breast tissue density in trans masculine individuals (TMIs). Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: TMIs (n=444) underwent chest-contouring surgeries to treat their gender dysphoria between 2013 and 2019 at an urban medical center. Participants: Of the 444 TMIs, 425 had pathology images analyzed by our deep-learning algorithm to extract breast tissue composition. A subset of 42/444 TMIs had mammography prior to surgery; mammography files were available for 25/42 TMIs and analyzed using a breast density software, LIBRA. Main Outcomes and Measures: The first outcome was the association of duration of TT and breast tissue composition assessed by pathologists (categories of lobular atrophy and stromal composition) or by our algorithm (% epithelium, % fibrous stroma, and % fat). The second outcome is the association of TT and breast density as assessed by a radiologist (categorical variable) or by LIBRA (percent density, absolute dense area, and absolute non-dense area). Results: Length of TT was associated with increasing degrees of lobular atrophy ( p <0.001) but not fibrous content ( p =0.821) when assessed by the pathologists. Every six months of TT was associated with decreased amounts of both epithelium (exp(ß)=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, adj p =0.005) and stroma (exp(ß)=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.00, adj p =0.051), but not fat (exp(ß)=1.01, 95%CI 0.98-1.05, p =0.394) in fully adjusted models. There was no association between TT and radiologist's breast density assessment ( p =0.575) or LIBRA measurements ( p >0.05). Conclusions: TT decreases breast epithelium and fibrous stroma, thus potentially reducing the breast cancer risk of TMIs. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the effect of TT on breast density and breast cancer risk. Summary Box: Very little is known about the effect of gender-affirming testosterone therapy on cancer risks, such as breast cancer.Epidemiological studies had different conclusions about the association between testosterone and breast cancer in cisgender women (positive association) and trans masculine individuals (inverse association).More laboratory-based research are needed to understand the effect of testosterone on breast cancer risk in the understudied trans masculine population.Our study provides quantitative histological evidence to support prior epidemiological reports that testosterone may reduce breast cancer risk in trans masculine individuals.

Limited Incision Facelifts: A Contemporary Review of Approaches and Complications.

Limited incision facelifts (LIFs) have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional facelift procedures. While surgical techniques vary, these approaches share a common goal: to rejuvenate the face while minimizing scar visibility. Previous studies also suggest that the reduced tissue dissection in LIFs can lead to decreased postoperative swelling, shorter recovery periods, and fewer complications. In this systematic review we delved into the literature on LIFs, shedding light on the various surgical approaches and their respective safety profiles. A systematic review was conducted by independent evaluators who followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A random-effects model was utilized to summarize complications data, and meta-regressions were conducted to analyze associations with operative variables. The analysis encompassed a total of 20 articles, comprising data from 4451 patients. The vast majority (84%) of these patients underwent either local wide-awake surgery or conscious sedation, while the remaining 16% underwent general anesthesia. Our analysis revealed an overall complication frequency of 3.2%, with hematoma being the most common complication (2%), followed by temporary nerve injury (0.2%), and skin necrosis or wounds (0.06%). Notably, hematomas rarely required operating room interventions. Use of drains or tissue sealants was associated with an 86% decrease in complications. Limited incision facelifts can be performed with a low complication rate, utilizing a variety of techniques. Utilization of tissue sealants and drains may limit hematoma formation, which is the most common complication.

Toker Cell Hyperplasia in the Nipple-Areolar Complex of Transmasculine Individuals.

We previously reported breast histopathologic features associated with testosterone therapy in transmasculine chest-contouring surgical specimens. During that study, we observed a high frequency of intraepidermal glands in the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) formed by Toker cells. This study reports Toker cell hyperplasia (TCH)-the presence of clusters of Toker cells consisting of at least 3 contiguous cells and/or glands with lumen formation-in the transmasculine population. Increased numbers of singly dispersed Toker cells were not considered TCH. Among the 444 transmasculine individuals, 82 (18.5%) had a portion of their NAC excised and available for evaluation. We also reviewed the NACs from 55 cisgender women who were aged <50 years old and had full mastectomies. The proportion of transmasculine cases with TCH (20/82; 24.4%) was 1.7-fold higher than cisgender women (8/55; 14.5%) but did not achieve significance (P = .20). However, in cases with TCH, the rate of gland formation is 2.4-fold higher in transmasculine cases, achieving borderline significance (18/82 vs 5/55; P = .06). Among transmasculine individuals, TCH was significantly more likely to be present in those with higher body mass index (P = .03). A subset of 5 transmasculine and 5 cisgender cases were stained for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), androgen receptor (AR), cytokeratin 7, and Ki67. All 10 cases were cytokeratin 7+ and Ki67-; 9 out of 10 cases were AR+. Toker cells in transmasculine cases demonstrated variable expression of ER, PR, and HER2. For cisgender cases, Toker cells were consistently ER+, PR-, and HER2-. In conclusion, there is a higher rate of TCH in the transmasculine than cisgender population, particularly among transmasculine individuals with high body mass index and taking testosterone. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that Toker cells are AR+. Toker cell features display variable ER, PR, and HER2 immunoreactivity. The clinical significance of TCH in the transmasculine population remains to be elucidated.

Systematic review of the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of nontraumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), with the aim of determining suitability for clinical trials involving SCI patients. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE and Embase databases, following registration with PROPSERO (CRD42019149671). Studies evaluating the impact of cannabinoids (agonists or antagonists) on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of nontraumatic and traumatic SCI were included. Data extracted from relevant studies, included sample characteristics, injury model, neurobehavioural outcomes assessed and study results. PRISMA guidelines were followed and the SYRCLE checklist was used to assess risk of bias. RESULTS: The search returned 8714 studies, 19 of which met our inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 390 animals. WIN 55,212-2 (n = 6) and AM 630 (n = 8) were the most used cannabinoid receptor agonist and antagonist respectively. Acute SCI models included traumatic injury (n = 16), ischaemia/reperfusion injury (n = 2), spinal cord cryoinjury (n = 1) and spinal cord ischaemia (n = 1). Assessment tools used assessed locomotor function, pain and anxiety. Cannabinoid receptor agonists resulted in statistically significant improvement in locomotor function in 9 out of 10 studies and pain outcomes in 6 out of 6 studies. CONCLUSION: Modulation of the endo-cannabinoid system has demonstrated significant improvement in both pain and locomotor function in pre-clinical SCI models; however, the risk of bias is unclear in all studies. These results may help to contextualise future translational clinical trials investigating whether cannabinoids can improve pain and locomotor function in SCI patients.

Testosterone therapy and breast histopathological features in transgender individuals.

Testosterone therapy (TT) is administered to enhance masculinization in transgender individuals. The long-term effect of exogenous testosterone on breast tissues remains unclear. Our study evaluated the modulation of breast morphology by TT in transgender individuals with special attention to duration of TT. We reviewed 447 breast surgical specimens from gender affirming chest-contouring surgery, and compared histopathological findings including degree of lobular atrophy, and atypical and non-atypical proliferations between subjects who did (n = 367) and did not (n = 79) receive TT. TT for one patient was unknown. TT for >12 months was associated with seven histopathological features. Longer duration of TT was significantly associated with higher degrees of lobular atrophy (p < 0.001). This relationship remained significant after accounting for age at surgery, ethnicity, body mass index, and presurgical oophorectomy (adjusted p < 0.001). Four types of lesions were more likely to be absent in breast tissues exposed to longer durations of TT: cysts (median = 16.2 months; p < 0.01; adjusted p = 0.01), fibroadenoma (median = 14.8 months; p = 0.02; adjusted p = 0.07), pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (median = 17.0 months; p < 0.001; adjusted p < 0.001), and papillomas (median = 14.7 months; p = 0.04; adjusted p = 0.20). Columnar cell change and mild inflammation were also less likely to occur in subjects receiving TT (p < 0.05), but were not linked to the duration of TT. Atypia and ductal carcinoma in situ were detected in 11 subjects (2.5%) all of whom received TT ranging from 10.1 to 64.1 months. The incidental findings of high-risk lesions and carcinoma as well as the risk of cancer in residual breast tissue after chest-contouring surgery warrant the consideration of culturally sensitive routine breast cancer screening protocols for transgender men and masculine-centered gender nonconforming individuals. Long-term follow-up studies and molecular investigations are needed to understand the breast cancer risk of transgender individuals who receive TT.

Nasal Tip Delamination: A Technique for Nasal Tip Projection and Control in Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Control of tip projection and rotation is critical to a successful rhinoplasty. Suture techniques that change the relationship of the medial crura to the caudal septum can effectively manage tip position, but may be technically challenging or require specialized sutures. The authors present a technique ("tip delamination") that allows symmetrical exposure of the medial crura and caudal septum for accurate placement of projection control sutures using commonly available suture materials. METHODS: We describe a novel technique to completely expose (or delaminate) the medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages to allow for 360-degree access to and manipulation of these critical structures. We present a case series of 3 patients. RESULTS: Exemplary cases with 1 intraoperative video will be reviewed to demonstrate how tip delamination allows for more precise control of the medial crura and nasal tip. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal tip delamination is a simple technique for manipulating the medial crura and nasal tip in rhinoplasty procedures. Nasal tip delamination adds minimal time and morbidity to the procedure and offers significant control for the surgeon, with beneficial outcomes for the patient.

Mechanical properties of the spinal cord and brain: Comparison with clinical-grade biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Disorders affecting the central nervous system are a leading cause of disability in the world. Regenerative medicine using biomaterial-based therapies is a growing field that has potential application in the areas of spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disorders and stroke. The mechanical properties of biomaterials implanted into the central nervous system are critical for effective integration with host tissue, but the biomechanical properties of the host tissue remain poorly characterised and assessing the stiffness of both soft biomaterials and central nervous system tissue remains challenging. Here, we describe a bespoke mechanical characterisation method that facilitates robust measurement of fresh spinal cord and brain tissue and allows direct like-for-like mechanical benchmarking for matching clinical-grade hydrogels suitable for regenerative medicine. We report differences in the mechanical properties of spinal cord tissue dependent on anatomical origin, regional variations in brain tissue stiffness, and quantify the extent of mechanical anisotropy within the cervical spinal cord. We then demonstrate that the mechanical properties of clinical-grade collagen, fibrin and alginate hydrogels can be tuned to closely mimic the mechanical properties of different regions within the central nervous system.

Cell Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury: Trends and Challenges of Current Clinical Trials.

Cell therapies have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injury. Basic research has progressed significantly in recent years, with a plethora of cell types now reaching early-phase human clinical trials, offering new strategies to repair the spinal cord. However, despite initial enthusiasm for preclinical and early-phase clinical trials, there has been a notable hiatus in the translation of cell therapies to routine clinical practice. Here, we review cell therapies that have reached clinical trials for spinal cord injury, providing a snapshot of all registered human trials and a summary of all published studies. Of registered trials, the majority have used autologous cells and approximately a third have been government funded, a third industry sponsored, and a third funded by university or healthcare systems. A total of 37 cell therapy trials have been published, primarily using stem cells, although a smaller number have used Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing cells. Significant challenges remain for cell therapy trials in this area, including achieving stringent regulatory standards, ensuring appropriately powered efficacy trials, and establishing sustainable long-term funding. However, cell therapies hold great promise for human spinal cord repair and future trials must continue to capitalize on the exciting developments emerging from preclinical studies.

Multifaceted highly targeted sequential multidrug treatment of early ambulatory high-risk SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).

The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreading across the world has led to surges of COVID-19 illness, hospitalizations, and death. The complex and multifaceted pathophysiology of life-threatening COVID-19 illness including viral mediated organ damage, cytokine storm, and thrombosis warrants early interventions to address all components of the devastating illness. In countries where therapeutic nihilism is prevalent, patients endure escalating symptoms and without early treatment can succumb to delayed in-hospital care and death. Prompt early initiation of sequenced multidrug therapy (SMDT) is a widely and currently available solution to stem the tide of hospitalizations and death. A multipronged therapeutic approach includes 1) adjuvant nutraceuticals, 2) combination intracellular anti-infective therapy, 3) inhaled/oral corticosteroids, 4) antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants, 5) supportive care including supplemental oxygen, monitoring, and telemedicine. Randomized trials of individual, novel oral therapies have not delivered tools for physicians to combat the pandemic in practice. No single therapeutic option thus far has been entirely effective and therefore a combination is required at this time. An urgent immediate pivot from single drug to SMDT regimens should be employed as a critical strategy to deal with the large numbers of acute COVID-19 patients with the aim of reducing the intensity and duration of symptoms and avoiding hospitalization and death.

Establishing a Cohort of Transgender Men and Gender Nonconforming Individuals to Understand the Molecular Impact of Testosterone on Breast Physiology.

Purpose: To characterize a cohort of transgender men and masculine-centered gender nonconforming individuals who underwent gender-affirming chest-contouring surgeries at our institution between 2013 and 2018. Methods: Demographics, medical history, and breast histopathological assessment for 340 patients were retrieved from medical records. Results: Most of our patients were white, non-Hispanic (75.0%), were taking testosterone (83.2%), and opted for chest-contouring surgery after 12-14 months of testosterone therapy. Ten patients were parous (2.9%). Seventy-nine (23.2%) and 27 (7.9%) patients had a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, respectively. One transgender man was incidentally diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ at chest-contouring surgery. Conclusion: Future studies on this cohort will provide valuable insights about the impact of testosterone on breast physiology.

Safety and Utility of Spinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulators: A Prospective Single-Centre Study.

BACKGROUND: Implanted high-frequency spinal cord stimulators at 10 kHz (HF-SCS) have recently acquired conditional approval for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including retrospective application to previously implanted devices. Under certain conditions, there are greater specific absorption rate (SAR) scanning restrictions compared to some conventional alternatives. This poses technical challenges to obtain diagnostic quality imaging. OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with 9 such scans, demonstrating that safe and diagnostically useful images can be obtained despite these restrictions. METHODS: We report a prospective single-centre series of 9 scans within a tertiary neuroscience centre, all obtained within the required SAR limit of ≤0.4 W/kg, and describe the scanning protocol we have developed. We further illustrate this with 2 representative patient cases. RESULTS: The imaging studies were well tolerated without complication. In all cases, the imaging quality was sufficient for the reporting neuroradiologist to answer the clinical question posed. CONCLUSION: Despite technical challenges, MRI is feasible, safe and diagnostically useful in HF-SCS-implanted patients. We would invite other centres that implant these devices to consider the development of their own scanning protocols to avoid the morbidity and inconvenience of explantation or computed tomography myelography. To our knowledge, this is the first reported study of MRI in HF-SCS-implanted patients achieving the requisite SAR limit of ≤0.4 W/kg.

Development of a "Surgical Shadowing Scheme" to improve undergraduate experiences of surgery.

PURPOSE: To establish a sustainable model for a "Surgical Shadowing Scheme" (SSS) and assess how this affects undergraduate attitudes to surgical careers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgeons at university teaching hospitals associated with UCL Medical School and UCL Partners, United Kingdom, were approached for their willingness to participate in the scheme. Medical students were then invited to apply for the scheme, where students were individually matched to operating theater sessions with surgeons in their specialty of choice. Feedback was subsequently obtained, evaluating experiences of the placement and the effect this had on future career aspirations. RESULTS: After running for four consecutive years, approximately 220 students have participated in the scheme across a range of surgical units and specialties. A total of 91.5% of the students were pre-clinical (years 1-3), whilst the remainder were clinical (years 4-6). Fifty-four percent were female and 46% male. Eighty-three percent of the students did not have any previous experience of the specialty that they shadowed, and 67% agreed that participating in the scheme had either "increased" or "strongly increased" their desire to pursue a surgical career. Ninety-four percent said they would "recommend" or "strongly recommend" the SSS to a peer. Over a third of students reported scrubbing-up during their placements and 35% of these directly assisted the lead surgeon. Traditionally male-dominated surgical sub-specialties recruited a high proportion of female students. CONCLUSION: This is the first published example of an established "Surgical Shadowing Scheme" for medical undergraduates. Our SSS has been highly valued by students and indicates that even a single high-quality surgical exposure is sufficient to increase the desire of undergraduates to pursue a surgical career. We hope that this SSS will act as a blueprint for other centers to develop their own shadowing schemes, in turn helping to ensure that surgery continues to inspire and attract the very best candidates for the future.

A pilot study to assess the utility of a freely downloadable mobile application simulator for undergraduate clinical skills training: a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Medical simulators offer an invaluable educational resource for medical trainees. However, owing to cost and portability restrictions, they have traditionally been limited to simulation centres. With the advent of sophisticated mobile technology, simulators have become cheaper and more accessible. Touch Surgery is one such freely downloadable mobile application simulator (MAS) used by over one million healthcare professionals worldwide. Nevertheless, to date, it has never been formally validated as an adjunct in undergraduate medical education. METHODS: Medical students in the final 3 years of their programme were recruited and randomised to one of three revision interventions: 1) no formal revision resources, 2) traditional revision resources, or 3) MAS. Students completed pre-test questionnaires and were then assessed on their ability to complete an undisclosed male urinary catheterisation scenario. Following a one-hour quarantined revision period, all students repeated the scenario. Both attempts were scored by allocation-blinded examiners against an objective 46-point mark scheme. RESULTS: A total of 27 medical students were randomised (n = 9 per group). Mean scores improved between baseline and post-revision attempts by 8.7% (p = 0.003), 19.8% (p = 0.0001), and 15.9% (p = 0.001) for no resources, traditional resources, and MAS, respectively. However, when comparing mean score improvements between groups there were no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile simulators offer an unconventional, yet potentially useful adjunct to enhance undergraduate clinical skills education. Our results indicate that MAS's perform comparably to current gold-standard revision resources; however, they may confer significant advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and practice flexibility. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Chest Surgery in Female to Male Transgender Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Societal awareness of transgender individuals has led to increased acceptance and demand for sex-confirming surgery. In female to male transsexuals, the most common procedure is removal of breast tissue to masculinize the chest. METHODS: Eighty-eight transgender patients underwent either a subcutaneous nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with or without a periareolar mastopexy or nipple reduction, or bilateral mastectomies with free nipple grafts (MFNG) with or without nipple reduction. Surgical techniques are discussed. Demographic data, use of testosterone, specimen weights, rates of wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, hypertrophic scars, nipple loss, and revision surgery were all assessed. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients in the study, 40 underwent NSM and 48 underwent MFNG. Patients undergoing NSM were 4.1 times more likely to have a hematoma compared with patients undergoing MFNG (P <0.05). Mastectomy weight was not correlated with the occurrence of hematoma (P >0.80). Only 1 patient who underwent NSM required revision, whereas 5 patients in the MFNG patient population underwent revision. Patients were more likely to have hypertrophic scarring with the MFNG technique (0% vs 25%, P < 0.01) There were no infections, no wound dehiscence, and no nipple loss in any patient. Eighty-three percent of the patients who responded to a satisfaction survey (57/88) were very satisfied with their result, and 100% would recommend this procedure to other transgender individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Female to male transgender mastectomy can be performed with low complication rates and high satisfaction. Nipple-sparing mastectomy were more likely to have a hematoma than patients undergoing MFNG.

Biomechanical properties of the spinal cord: implications for tissue engineering and clinical translation.

Spinal cord injury is a severely debilitating condition which can leave individuals paralyzed and suffering from autonomic dysfunction. Regenerative medicine may offer a promising solution to this problem. Previous research has focused primarily on exploring the cellular and biological aspects of the spinal cord, yet relatively little remains known about the biomechanical properties of spinal cord tissue. Given that a number of regenerative strategies aim to deliver cells and materials in the form of tissue-engineered therapies, understanding the biomechanical properties of host spinal cord tissue is important. We review the relevant biomechanical properties of spinal cord tissue and provide the baseline knowledge required to apply these important physical concepts to spinal cord tissue engineering.

Personalized in vitro cancer modeling - fantasy or reality?

With greater technological advancements and understanding of pathophysiology, "personalized medicine" has become a more realistic goal. In the field of cancer, personalized medicine is the ultimate objective, as each cancer is unique and each tumor is heterogeneous. For many decades, researchers have relied upon studying the histopathology of tumors in the hope that it would provide clues to understanding the pathophysiology of cancer. Current preclinical research relies heavily upon two-dimensional culture models. However, these models have had limited success in recreating the complex interactions between cancer cells and the stroma environment in vivo. Thus, there is increasing impetus to shift to three-dimensional models, which more accurately reflect this phenomenon. With a more accurate in vitro tumor model, drug sensitivity can be tested to determine the best treatment option based on the tumor characteristics. Many methods have been developed to create tumor models or "tumoroids," each with its advantages and limitations. One significant problem faced is the replication of angiogenesis that is characteristic of tumors in vivo. Nonetheless, if three-dimensional models could be standardized and implemented as a preclinical research tool for therapeutic testing, we would be taking a step towards making personalized cancer medicine a reality.

Factors that affect the efficacy of fluoroscopically guided selective spinal nerve root block in the treatment of radicular pain: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: The fluoroscopically guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) is being used increasingly as a therapy for radicular pain as well as a diagnostic tool. However, studies and the literature reviews have yet to reach a definite conclusion on the efficacy in this setting. Our aim was to prospectively investigate factors that may affect the success of this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 301 treatment episodes with 283 patients were assessed over 25 months by patient questionnaire over a 7-day period. Changes in analgesic benefit over time, by operating consultant, referring specialty, spinal level, and the presence of periprocedural symptom provocation were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by using the χ(2) test, Wilcoxon test, and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and the asymptotic marginal-homogeneity test. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in pain relief over the 7 days after the procedure. Pain provocation during the procedure did not improve analgesic success. Cervical, lumbar, and sacral level procedures were equally efficacious. The specialist who referred the patient and the use of contrast to verify needle position during the procedure also did not affect the analgesic outcome. Overall, 69.1% of patients experienced some pain relief by day 7. CONCLUSION: Analgesic success rates of selective nerve root blocks did not vary with spinal level, or use of contrast or periprocedural replication of symptoms, when using fluoroscopic guidance. Patients may expect a continued significant improvement in their symptoms for at least a week after the procedure.

Pilot statewide study of pediatric emergency department alignment with national guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nursing Association have developed consensus guidelines for pediatric emergency department policies, procedures, supplies, and equipment. Kentucky received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Emergency Medical Services for Children program to pilot test the guidelines with the state's hospitals. In addition to providing baseline data regarding institutional alignment with the guidelines, the survey supported development of grant funding to procure missing items. METHODS: Survey administration was undertaken by staff and members of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services for Children work group and faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Responses were solicited primarily online with repeated reminders and offers of assistance. RESULTS: Seventy respondents completed the survey section on supplies and equipment either online or by fax. Results identified items unavailable at 20% or more of responding facilities, primarily the smallest sizes of equipment. The survey section addressing policy and procedure received only 16 responses. CONCLUSIONS: Kentucky facilities were reasonably well equipped by national standards, but rural facilities and small hospitals did not stock the smallest equipment sizes because of low reported volume of pediatric emergency department cases. Thus, a centralized procurement process that gives them access to an adequate range of pediatric supplies and equipment would support capacity building for the care of children across the entire state. Grant proposals were received from 28 facilities in the first 3 months of funding availability.