Data From a One-Stop-Shop Comprehensive Cancer Screening Center.

PURPOSE: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. However, by implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, 30%-50% of cancers can be detected early with improved outcomes. At the integrated cancer prevention center (ICPC), we aimed to increase early detection by screening for multiple cancers during one visit. METHODS: Self-referred asymptomatic individuals, age 20-80 years, were included prospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological data were obtained by multiple specialists, and further testing was obtained based on symptoms, family history, individual risk factors, and abnormalities identified during the visit. Follow-up recommendations and diagnoses were given as appropriate. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2019, 8,618 men and 8,486 women, average age 47.11 ± 11.71 years, were screened. Of 259 cancers detected through the ICPC, 49 (19.8%) were stage 0, 113 (45.6%) stage I, 30 (12.1%) stage II, 25 (10.1%) stage III, and 31(12.5%) stage IV. Seventeen cancers were missed, six of which were within the scope of the ICPC. Compared with the Israeli registry, at the ICPC, less cancers were diagnosed at a metastatic stage for breast (none v 3.7%), lung (6.7% v 11.4%), colon (20.0% v 46.2%), prostate (5.6% v 10.5%), and cervical/uterine (none v 8.5%) cancers. When compared with the average stage of detection in the United States, detection was earlier for breast, lung, prostate, and female reproductive cancers. Patient satisfaction rate was 8.35 ± 1.85 (scale 1-10). CONCLUSION: We present a proof of concept study for a one-stop-shop approach to cancer screening in a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic. We successfully detected cancers at an early stage, which has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality as well as offer substantial cost savings.[Media: see text].

The Impact of Colloid Cyst Treatment on Neurocognition.

BACKGROUND: Colloid cysts (CC) have been associated with neurocognitive function (NCF) decline, both preoperatively and after resection. Factors such as local pressure on the fornix and hydrocephalus are thought to contribute to preoperative NCF decline. The potential cause of postoperative decline is thought to be forniceal injury during surgery. In the current series, we describe NCF outcomes amongst patients with CC, both nonoperated and operated. METHODS: A total of 36 patients (23 operated, 13 nonoperated) were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent at least 1 NCF evaluation battery. Of the 13 nonoperated cases, 5 had follow-up tests too. Of the 23 operated, 14 had both pre- and postoperative tests, and 8 had early and late postoperative tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline NCF between nonoperated and operated cases (as evaluated preoperatively). Nonoperated patients had a stable NCF test over time. Patients who were operated showed a significant improvement after surgery in several NCF variables. There was no significant change in NCF between early and late postoperative evaluation. None of the operated patients had a postoperative NCF decline. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CC should undergo routine NCF testing with a standardized protocol, whether they are operated or followed. Surgery has a positive impact on NCF; however, it remains to be determined if the improvement is solely secondary to treatment of hydrocephalus, or to a reduction of local pressure on the fornices. It remains to be determined whether the surgical technique, that is, endoscopic, interhemispheric, or transcortical, has an impact on NCF outcome.

First report of screening an asymptomatic population for cancer: the yield of an integrated cancer prevention center.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The most effective way to combat cancer is by prevention and early detection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of screening an asymptomatic population for the presence of benign and neoplastic lesions. METHODS: Routine screening tests for prevention and/or early detection of 11 common cancers were conducted in 300 consecutive asymptomatic apparently healthy adults aged 25-77 years. Other tests were performed as indicated. RESULTS: Malignant and benign lesions were found in 3.3% and 5% of the screenees, respectively, compared to 1.7% in the general population. The most common lesions were in the gastrointestinal tract followed by skin, urogenital tract and breast. Advanced age and a family history of a malignancy were associated with increased risk for cancer with an odds ratio of 9 and 3.5, respectively (95% confidence interval 1.1-71 and 0.9-13, respectively). Moreover, high serum C-reactive protein levels and polymorphisms in the APC and CD24 genes indicated high cancer risk. When two of the polymorphisms existed in an individual, the risk for a malignant lesion was extremely high (23.1%; OR 14, 95% CI 2.5-78). CONCLUSIONS: Screening asymptomatic subjects identifies a significant number of neoplastic lesions at an early stage. Incorporating data on genetic polymorphisms in the APC and CD24 genes can further identify individuals who are at increased risk for cancer. Cancer can be prevented and/or diagnosed at an early stage using the screening facilities of a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic.

[Endoscopic third ventriculostomy--a physiological alternative to shunts as treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus in children].

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for hydrocephalus is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt which is associated with high rate long-term morbidity. Seeking alternative treatments, neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomies (ETV) have been performed in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. During this procedure, the third ventricular floor is perforated thus bypassing the pathological obstruction. In this procedure, no hardware is left and fluid pressures are more physiologically balanced compared to shunted cases. STUDY GOALS: To present our experience with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in patients below the age of 18 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 112 ETV's: in 89 cases (group A) the hydrocephalus was secondary to aqueductal stenosis (primary or secondary). In 23 cases (group B) the hydrocephalus was secondary to other reasons. RESULTS: A total of 70% of patients in group A did not need a shunt during their follow-up in comparison with 56% in group B. In a multivariable analysis--the only significant predictor for failure of the ETV was age below two years at the time of the procedure. Two patients died perioperatively. Both suffered from malignant disseminated tumors. One death was related to oncological reasons; the other death was related to intraventricular bleeding secondary to the procedure. Perioperative morbidity was 23% (decreased to 8% during recent years). No permanent morbidity occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is the treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis among patients older than two years. In younger patients, future studies are needed to prove whether a shunt or a ventriculostomy are the preferred treatment.

Laparoscopic versus non-laparoscopic-assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in adults. A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts and distal shunt revisions bear a high risk of distal malfunction, especially in patients with previous abdominal pathologies as well as in obese patients. We performed laparoscopy-guided distal shunt placement or revision for patients with and without a positive abdominal history. We review the indications, techniques, complications, and long-term outcomes of these cases and compare the results to those of patients operated without laparoscopic guidance. METHODS: A total of 211 distal shunt procedures were performed in our institute between January 2001 and December 2005, 59 of which were laparoscopically guided, and 152 were not. Of the 211 procedures, 177 were placement of new shunt systems, and 34 were distal revisions. A total of 33 procedures were performed in 25 patients with a history of abdominal surgery or inflammatory bowel disease; 15 procedures were operated with laparoscopic guidance. RESULTS: The short-term complication and outcome rates were similar between the laparoscopy group and the other patients. Among the patients with new shunts, the long-term distal malfunction rate was lower in the laparoscopy group compared with the nonlaparoscopy group (4% vs 10.3%, respectively; P = .17). No patients in the laparoscopy group and 6 patients operated by other techniques had distal malfunction. There was 1 laparoscopy-related mortality and no morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is not routinely indicated in distal shunt placement or revision. However, a laparoscopy-guided procedure may lower the rate of distal malfunction in patients with previous abdominal surgeries.

Brain injuries caused by spherical bolts.

OBJECT: Metallic particles contained in antihuman bombs increase the number of fatalities. The ballistics of these particles depends on the explosive that is used, the distance from the explosion, the shape of the particle projected, and the biomechanics of the injured tissue. The authors present their experience with penetrating spherical bolt injuries to the brain. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological data obtained in eight patients with penetrating spherical bolt injuries to the cranium: four had Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores less than 8 (three died, one from an unrelated injury) and four had a GCS score of 15 (all survived). Two of the latter patients suffered unique anatomical injuries attributed to the distinctive ballistics of spherical bolts: in one patient the bolt penetrated the cavernous sinus causing minimal cranial nerve injury, and in the other patient the bolt lodged in the fourth ventricle causing acute hydrocephalus without other neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating spherical bolts to the brain may be lethal. Nevertheless, they have unique ballistics that cause highly delineated anatomical damage and minor neurological deficits.

Recombinant coagulation factor VIIa for rapid preoperative correction of warfarin-related coagulopathy in patients with acute subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage, either spontaneous or traumatic is a well-known and potentially lethal complication of Warfarin treatment. Patients with Warfarin-related intracranial hemorrhage need urgent reversal of anticoagulation that must be especially rapid if surgical intervention is indicated. The traditional treatment with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and vitamin K often fails to achieve the desired correction of coagulopathy in urgent neurosurgical settings. CASE REPORT: In the present case Recombinant Coagulation Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) was used for preoperative reversal of Warfarin-related coagulopathy. The patient was a fifty two years old man, mechanic valve recipient with Warfarin-induced coagulopathy: International Normalization Ratio (INR) of 6.39, who suffered from acute subdural hematoma and needed urgent neurosurgical intervention. He received a single dose of rFVIIa 120 mg/kg and immediately underwent craniotomy and evacuation of the hematoma. Appropriate hemostasis was achieved during surgery and coagulation test taken two hours after rFVIIa injection revealed INR of 1.25. The INR remained normalized for additional 14 hours. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of rFVIIa in the preoperative management of Warfarin-induced intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: Recombinant Coagulation Factor VIIa provides rapid correction of coagulation to a level that allows safe neurosurgical intervention without significant delay. This agent is safe and effective; and should be considered for reversal of Warfarin-induced coagulopathy in cases of intracranial hemorrhage, especially when urgent surgical intervention is required.