Intracranial meningioma: A review of recent and emerging data on the utility of preoperative imaging for management.

Meningiomas are the most common neoplasms of the central nervous system, accounting for approximately 40% of all brain tumors. Surgical resection represents the mainstay of management for symptomatic lesions. Preoperative planning is largely informed by neuroimaging, which allows for evaluation of anatomy, degree of parenchymal invasion, and extent of peritumoral edema. Recent advances in imaging technology have expanded the purview of neuroradiologists, who play an increasingly important role in meningioma diagnosis and management. Tumor vascularity can now be determined using arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced sequences, allowing the neurosurgeon or neurointerventionalist to assess patient candidacy for preoperative embolization. Meningioma consistency can be inferred based on signal intensity; emerging machine learning technologies may soon allow radiologists to predict consistency long before the patient enters the operating room. Perfusion imaging coupled with magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be used to distinguish meningiomas from malignant meningioma mimics. In this comprehensive review, we describe key features of meningiomas that can be established through neuroimaging, including size, location, vascularity, consistency, and, in some cases, histologic grade. We also summarize the role of advanced imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance perfusion and spectroscopy, for the preoperative evaluation of meningiomas. In addition, we describe the potential impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, on meningioma diagnosis and management. A strong foundation of knowledge in the latest meningioma imaging techniques will allow the neuroradiologist to help optimize preoperative planning and improve patient outcomes.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the characterization of intra-scrotal lesions.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has emerged as a promising imaging modality for the characterization of hepatic and renal lesions. However, there is a paucity of data describing the use of CEUS for the evaluation of intra-scrotal pathology. In the following review, we describe the clinical utility of CEUS for the characterization and differentiation of common and uncommon intra-scrotal conditions, including testicular torsion, infection, trauma, and benign and malignant intratesticular and extratesticular neoplasms. In addition, we outline key principles of CEUS and provide case examples from our institution.

Current Trends and Applications of PET/MRI Hybrid Imaging in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Normal Aging.

Dementia is a significant global health issue that is exacerbated by an aging population. Imaging plays an established role in the evaluation of patients with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. In current clinical practice, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are primary imaging modalities used separately but in concert to help diagnose and classify dementia. The clinical applications of PET/MRI hybrid imaging in dementia are an active area of research, particularly given the continued emergence of functional MRI (fMRI) and amyloid PET tracers. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the rationale and current evidence for PET/MRI hybrid dementia imaging from 2018 to 2023. Hybrid imaging offers advantages in the accuracy of characterizing neurodegenerative disorders, and future research will need to address the cost of integrated PET/MRI systems compared to stand-alone scanners, the development of new biomarkers, and image correction techniques.

Pretranscatheter and Posttranscatheter Valve Planning with Computed Tomography.

The range of potential transcatheter solutions to valve disease is increasing, bringing treatment options to those in whom surgery confers prohibitively high risk. As the range of devices and their indications grow, so too will the demand for procedural planning. Computed tomography will continue to enable this growth through the provision of accurate device sizing and procedural risk assessment.

Clinical Applications of PET in Evaluating the Aging Spine.

Back pain is a common health complaint that contributes globally to medical burden and costs, particularly in elderly populations. Nuclear medicine techniques using PET tracers offer diagnostic information about various spine disorders, including malignant, degenerative, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Herein, the authors briefly review applications of PET in the evaluation of spine disorders in elderly patients.

Safety and feasibility of urological procedures in Jehovah's Witness patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the safety and feasibility of urological transfusion-free surgeries in Jehovah's Witness patients. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved, retrospective review of Jehovah's Witness patients who underwent urological transfusion-free surgeries between 2003 and 2019 was carried out. Surgeries were stratified into low, intermediate and high risk based on complexity, invasiveness and bleeding potential. Patient demographics, perioperative data and clinical outcomes are reported. RESULTS: A total of 161 Jehovah's Witness patients (median age 63.4 years) underwent 171 transfusion-free surgeries, including 57 (33.3%) in low-, 82 (47.9%) in intermediate- and 32 (18.8%) in high-risk categories. The mean estimated blood loss increased with risk category at 48 mL (range 10-50 mL), 150 mL (range 50-200 mL) and 388 mL (range 137-500 mL), respectively (P < 0.001). Implementing blood augmentation and conservation techniques increased with each risk category (3.5% vs 29% vs 69%, respectively; P < 0.001). Average length of stay increased concordantly at 1.6 days (range 0-12 days), 2.9 days (range 1-13 days) and 5.6 days (range 2-12 days), respectively (P ≤ 0.001). However, there was no increase in complication rates and readmission rates attributed to bleeding among the risk categories at 30 days (P = 0.9 and 0.4, respectively) and 90 days (P = 0.7 and 0.7, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion free urological surgery can be safely carried out on Jehovah's Witness patients using contemporary perioperative optimization. Additionally, these techniques can be expanded for use in the general patient population to avoid short- and long-term consequences of perioperative blood transfusion.

Physiological Characteristics of Female Soccer Players and Health and Performance Considerations: A Narrative Review.

Female soccer has seen a substantial rise in participation, as well as increased financial support from governing bodies over the last decade. Thus, there is an onus on researchers and medical departments to develop a better understanding of the physical characteristics and demands, and the health and performance needs of female soccer players. In this review, we discuss the current research, as well as the knowledge gaps, of six major topics: physical demands, talent identification, body composition, injury risk and prevention, health and nutrition. Data on female talent identification are scarce, and future studies need to elucidate the influence of relative age and maturation selection across age groups. Regarding the physical demands, more research is needed on the pattern of high-intensity sprinting during matches and the contribution of soccer-specific movements. Injuries are not uncommon in female soccer players, but targeting intrinsically modifiable factors with injury prevention programmes can reduce injury rates. The anthropometric and physical characteristics of female players are heterogeneous and setting specific targets should be discouraged in youth and sub-elite players. Menstrual cycle phase may influence performance and injury risk; however, there are few studies in soccer players. Nutrition plays a critical role in health and performance and ensuring adequate energy intake remains a priority. Despite recent progress, there is considerably less research in female than male soccer players. Many gaps in our understanding of how best to develop and manage the health and performance of female soccer players remain.

Five-alpha reductase inhibitors in men undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer: impact on treatment and reclassification after 6 years follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) on definitive treatment (DT) and pathological progression (PP) in patients on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer. METHODS: We identified 361 consecutive patients, from an IRB-approved database, on AS for prostate cancer with minimum 2 years follow-up. Patients were grouped into two cohorts, those using 5-ARIs (5-ARI; n = 119) or not using 5-ARIs (no 5-ARI; n = 242). Primary and secondary endpoints were treatment-free survival (TFS) and PP-free survival (PPFS), which were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariable cox regression analysis were used to identify predictors for PP and DT. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and the prostate biopsy rate were similar between the two groups. Median (range) follow-up was 5.7 (2.0-17.2) years. Five-year and 10-year TFS was 92% and 59% for the 5-ARI group versus 80% and 51% for the no 5-ARI group (p = 0.005), respectively. Five-year and 10-year PPFS was 77% and 41% for the 5-ARI group versus 70% and 32% for the no 5-ARI group (p = 0.04), respectively. Independent predictors for treatment and PP were not taking 5-ARIs (p = 0.005; p = 0.02), entry PSA > 2.5 ng/mL (p = 0.03; p = 0.01) and Gleason pattern 4 on initial biopsy (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), respectively. The main limitation is the retrospective study design. CONCLUSIONS: 5-ARIs reduces reclassification and cross-over to treatment in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer. Further, taking 5-ARIs was an independent predictor for prostate cancer progression and definitive treatment.

Improved Classification of Medical Data Using Meta-Best Feature Selection.

Feature selection provides a useful method for reducing the size of large data sets while maintaining integrity, thereby improving the accuracy of neural networks and other classifiers. However, running multiple feature selection models and their accompanying classifiers can make interpreting results difficult. To this end, we present a data-driven methodology called Meta-Best that not only returns a single feature set related to a classification target, but also returns an optimal size and ranks the features by importance within the set. This proposed methodology is tested on six distinct targets from the well-known REGARDS dataset: Deceased, Self-Reported Diabetes, Light Alcohol Abuse Risk, Regular NSAID Use, Current Smoker, and Self-Reported Stroke. This methodology is shown to improve the classification rate of neural networks by 0.056 using the ROC Area Under Curve metric compared to a control test with no feature selection.

Analysis of Medical Data Using Community Detection on Inferred Networks.

Performing network-based analysis on medical and biological data makes a wide variety of machine learning tools available. Clustering, which can be used for classification, presents opportunities for identifying hard-to-reach groups for the development of customized health interventions. Due to a desire to convert abundant DNA gene co-expression data into networks, many graph inference methods have been developed. Likewise there are many clustering and classification tools. This paper presents a comparison of techniques for graph inference and clustering, using different numbers of features, in order to select the best tuple of graph inference method, clustering method, and number of features according to a particular phenotype. An extensive machine learning based analysis of the REGARDS dataset is conducted, evaluating the CoNet and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) network inference methods, along with the Louvain, Leiden and NBR-Clust clustering techniques. Results from analysis involving five internal cluster evaluation indices show the traditional KNN inference method and NBR-Clust and Louvain clustering produce the most promising clusters with medical phenotype data. It is also shown that visualization can aid in interpreting the clusters, and that the clusters produced can identify meaningful groups indicating customized interventions.

Surgical approach as a determinant factor of clinical outcome following radical cystectomy: Does Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) level the playing field?

PURPOSE: To determine whether surgical approach is a determinant of clinical outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion when using an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied all patients undergoing both open radical cystectomy (ORC) and robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and urinary diversion with ERAS for bladder urothelial carcinoma from May 2012 to December 2016. Surgical and clinical outcomes within 90 days after surgery were compared between ORC and RARC, including readmission and major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III). Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors that predict readmission and major complications. RESULTS: A total of 345 and 143 patients underwent ORC and RARC, respectively. The ORC group had a greater proportion of continent urinary diversion (71.9 vs. 40.6%, P< 0.001), shorter operative time (5.4 vs. 7.3 hours, P< 0.001), higher estimated blood loss (500 vs. 200 ml, P< 0.001), and higher intraoperative and postoperative transfusion rates (20.9 vs. 9.1%, P= 0.002 and 20 vs. 11.9%, P= 0.04, respectively). Median length of stay was 4 days for ORC (interquartile range 4-6 days) and 6 days for RARC (interquartile range 4-7 days; P< 0.001). There was no significant difference between ORC and RARC groups in major complication rates (20 vs. 23.8%, P= 0.51) or readmission rates (32.2 vs. 36.4%, P= 0.4) within 90 days after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that surgical approach was not an independent factor predictive of readmission (P= 0.33) or major complications (P= 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical approach is not a determinant of readmission or major complications following RC in the context of an ERAS protocol.

Long term oncologic outcome in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy: Impact of carcinoma in situ in the era of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of carcinoma in situ (CIS) on oncologic outcomes in patients who underwent radical cystectomy, with a focus on those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) including patients with down-staging to ≤ pT1cancer after chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer with curative intent from 1985 to 2011 were included. The impact of CIS on recurrence free and overall survival (OS) was assessed in the whole cohort and a subgroup who received NAC as well as those with response to chemotherapy and down-staging to ≤ pT1. RESULTS: A total of 2518 patients with a median follow-up period of 9 years were included. Among all, 1397 (55.5%) had concomitant CIS on final pathology. CIS was associated with high risk pathologic features including high-grade disease, multifocality, and nodal involvement as well as worse recurrence free survival (RFS) with no impact on OS. We did not find a significant association between CIS and oncologic outcomes in a subset of patients who received NAC including those with down-staging to ≤ pT1 disease. In multivariate analysis, CIS had no association with either recurrence free or OS. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant CIS in radical cystectomy specimens is associated with decreased RFS; however, in multivariate analysis, it was not an independent predicting factor of oncologic outcomes. Moreover, the impact of CIS on oncologic outcomes in a subset of patients who received NAC was insignificant.

Intravitreal Silicone Oil Migration Into the Lateral Cerebral Ventricles.

PURPOSE: Silicone oil (SO) is often used as an intraocular tamponade in repairs of retinal detachments. It may be associated with complications such as cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy, subretinal migration of oil, fibrous epiretinal and sub retinal proliferations, and oil emulsification. The purpose of this report is to describe a rare phenomenon of intraocular silicone oil migration into the cerebral ventricles, which may later be mistaken for intraventricular hemorrhages on neuroimaging. METHODS: Case report with literature review. RESULTS: A patient with a history of retinal detachment repair with intraocular SO presented with headaches. Neuroimaging revealed SO migration to the cerebral ventricles. The patient was treated conservatively with symptom management and headaches resolved. CONCLUSIONS: We present a case of intraocular SO migration to the cerebral ventricles and review the current literature. We also propose two mechanisms for this phenomenon.

Association between precystectomy epithelial tumor marker response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and oncological outcomes in urothelial bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We previously reported that elevated precystectomy serum levels of epithelial tumor markers predict worse oncological outcome in patients with invasive bladder cancer (BC). Herein, we evaluated the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on elevated tumor marker levels and their association with oncological outcomes. METHODS: Under IRB approval, serum levels of Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) were prospectively measured in 480 patients with invasive BC from August 2011 through December 2016. In the subgroup undergoing NAC, markers were measured prior to the first and after the last cycle of chemotherapy (prior to cystectomy). RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-seven patients were eligible for the study, with a median age was 71 years (range 34-93) and 81% (272) male. Elevated precystectomy level of any tumor markers (31% of patients) was independently associated with worse recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.81; P < 0.001) and overall survival (HR = 3.97; P < 0.001). One hundred and twenty-five (37%) patients underwent NAC, of whom 59 had a complete tumor marker profile and 30 (51%) had an elevated pre-NAC tumor marker. Following completion of chemotherapy, 10/30 (33%) patients normalized their tumor markers, while 20/30 (67%) had one or more persistently elevated markers. There was no difference in clinical or pathological stage between groups (P = 0.54 and P = 0.09, respectively). Further analysis showed a significantly lower rate and longer median time to recurrence/progression in the responder group (50% in responders vs. 90% in nonresponders at a median time of 22 vs. 4.8 months, respectively; P = 0.015). There was also significant difference in mortality rates and median overall survival between the study groups (30% in responders vs. 70% in nonresponders at a median time of 27.3 vs. 11.6 months respectively; P = 0.037). Two of the three patients that died in the normalized tumor marker group had tumor marker relapse at recurrence prior to their death. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study showing tumor marker response to NAC. Patients with persistently elevated markers following NAC have a very poor prognosis following cystectomy, which may help identifying chemotherapy-resistant tumors. A larger, controlled study with longer follow up is needed to determine their role in predicting survival.

Frailty as a predictor of complications after radical cystectomy: A prospective study of various preoperative assessments.

PURPOSE: Frailty has been correlated with worse postoperative outcomes. Prospective studies examining frailty and bladder cancer are lacking. We aimed to determine whether a prospective frailty assessment or traditional risk indices can identify patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) at risk for complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients ≥65 years undergoing RC were preoperatively assessed using Fried Frailty Criteria (FFC; grip strength, gait speed, exhaustion, physical activity, shrinking), Charlson Comorbidity Index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, Karnofsky Performance Scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Thirty-day and 90-day postoperative complications were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty three patients were assessed with median age of 74 years. Fifty-nine patients (48.0%) had ≥1 complication within 30 days and 72 (58.5%) within 90 days. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.17, P = 0.027) and shrinking (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.64-9.26, P = 0.0024) were significant for any 30-day complication, while physical activity was protective (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.69-1.00, P = 0.072) for any 90-day complication. Being intermediately frail or frail was associated with high-grade 30-day (OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.39-22.77, P = 0.022) and 90-day complications (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.05-9.37, P = 0.045), along with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥3 (OR 45.00, 95% CI 6.92-437.69, P = 0.0010 and OR 17.85, 95% CI 3.21-143.26, P = 0.0079, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fried Frailty Criteria were predictive of high-grade complications, while individual components were predictive of having any complication. Elderly patients should be routinely assessed prior to RC to guide postoperative care.

Urinary tract infections following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: a review of 1133 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and microbiology of urinary tract infection (UTI) within 90 days following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion. METHODS: We reviewed 1133 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at our institution between 2003 and 2013; 815 patients (72%) underwent orthotopic diversion, 274 (24%) ileal conduit, and 44 (4%) continent cutaneous diversion. 90-day postoperative UTI incidence, culture results, antibiotic sensitivity/resistance and treatment were recorded through retrospective review. Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multivariable analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 151 urinary tract infections were recorded in 123 patients (11%) during the first 90 days postoperatively. 21/123 (17%) had multiple infections and 25 (20%) had urosepsis in this time span. Gram-negative rods were the most common etiology (54% of positive cultures). 52% of UTI episodes led to readmission. There was no significant difference in UTI rate, etiologic microbiology (Gram-negative rods, Gram-positive cocci, fungi), or antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns between diversion groups. Resistance to quinolones was evident in 87.5% of Gram-positive and 35% of Gram-negative bacteria. In multivariable analysis, Charlson Comorbidity Index > 2 was associated with higher 90-day UTI rate (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9, p = 0.05) and Candida UTI (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.6-26.5, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: UTI is a common complication and cause of readmission following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. These infections are commonly caused by Gram-negative rods. High comorbidity index is an independent risk factor for postoperative UTI, but diversion type is not.

Satisfaction With Testicular Prosthesis After Radical Orchiectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine patient satisfaction with testicular prostheses (TP) for testicular cancer. Reconstruction represents an important part of surgical oncology, yet placement of TP following orchiectomy is infrequently performed. Improved data on patient satisfaction with TP would help in counseling patients with testicular cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent orchiectomy and TP placement for testicular cancer participated in a survey that was blinded to the providers in an outpatient clinic (2012-2014) to evaluate TP satisfaction. Categorical variables associated with satisfaction were compared using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Median age at TP placement was 31 years (17-59). Most patients had their prosthesis in place for >1 year (81%) at the time of the survey. No patient reported complications from the TP and none underwent explantation. All patients felt that being offered an implant before orchiectomy was important. Overall, 33 patients (82.5%) rated the TP as good or excellent, and 35 men (87.5%) would have the prosthesis implanted again. Thirty-seven patients (92.5%) found the TP to be comfortable or very comfortable. However, 44% considered the TP too firm and 20% felt the position was not appropriate. Appropriate size, appropriate position, and TP comfort were significantly associated with good or excellent overall TP satisfaction (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Overall satisfaction with testicular implants after orchiectomy for testicular cancer is high. Patients should be offered a testicular prosthesis, especially at the time of orchiectomy. Efforts should be made to optimize implant firmness, and care should be given to proper size selection and positioning.

Two otherwise healthy young brothers present with intermittent claudication, just a coincidence?

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a recognised cause of lower limb peripheral arterial disease in young adults. We describe the cases of two otherwise healthy brothers who presented with the condition 5 years apart. The first brother, who is also the first author of this case report, presented aged 19 with worsening, right-sided, exercise-induced lower leg pain and transient foot pallor. Imaging confirmed PAES and irreversible localised arterial damage. Surgery was performed to release the entrapment and resect the section of diseased artery. The limb was revascularised using an autologous interposition saphenous vein graft. The second brother began experiencing left-sided, exercise-induced lower leg pain aged 24. Again, imaging revealed PAES and irreversible arterial damage. A similar revascularisation procedure was performed. Both siblings fully recovered and are symptom free. Arterial duplex scans have confirmed patent grafts. A correlation in siblings has only been reported in the literature five times previously.

Impact of body mass index on robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on peri-operative and oncological outcomes after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 216 patients undergoing RARC, extended lymphadenectomy and intracorporeal urinary diversion, between July 2010 and December 2015, were categorized into four BMI groups according to the 2004 World Health Organization obesity classification groups: <25 kg/m2 (normal); 25-29.9 kg/m2 (pre-obese); 30-34.9 kg/m2 (obese class I); and ≥35 kg/m2 (obese class II). Pre-, intra- and postoperative characteristics, oncological outcomes, and 90-day complications were compared using sas statistical software. RESULTS: All 216 patients underwent intracorporeal urinary diversion, with 68 (32%) undergoing orthotopic neobladder construction. Demographics were similar among the BMI groups with regard to median (range) age (71.8 [35- 95] years), gender (80.6% men), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score (66.2% with CCI score 0-1), pathological stage (carcinoma in situ to T2: 55.1%, T3-T4/N0: 18.5%, Tx/N+: 26.4%), median (interquartile range) node count [41 (28, 53)] and positive soft tissue margin rate (4.2%). Obese patients had greater blood loss and longer operating time (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively). There were no significant differences in length of hospital stay, transfusion rates, readmission or 90-day overall and high-grade complication rates (P = 0.16, P = 0.96, P = 0.89, P = 0.22 and P = 0.51, respectively). At a median (range) follow-up of 13 months (15 days to 4.8 years), recurrence-free survival (P = 0.92) and overall survival (P = 0.68) were similar among the groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that RARC with intracorporeal urinary diversion is safe and feasible in obese patients with bladder cancer. BMI was not associated with significant differences in peri-operative, pathological or early oncological outcomes.