Effects of zoledronic acid on osteosarcoma progression and metastasis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zoledronic Acid (ZA) has been shown to inhibit Osteosarcoma (OSA) progression in preclinical studies. However, the use of ZA as an intervention for OSA treatment and management remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials comparing the use of ZA with standard treatment vs. standard treatment alone for OSA patients after resection was conducted. Primary outcomes assessed event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, while secondary outcomes assessed impact of ZA on metastatic spread, histological response and adverse events occurrence. A literature search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The Cochrane risk of bias tool (version 2) was used to assess trial quality. RevMan v5.4 was used for the meta-analysis. The between-trial heterogeneity was assessed using the Chi2 test and the I2 statistic and the GRADE methodology was utilized to assess certainty of evidence. Two studies were considered eligible for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. ZA had no benefit on EFS (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.48-1.88; p-value 0.88), however, when compared to standard treatment it reduced OS (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.49-2.64; p-value < 0.00001). ZA did not deter lung metastasis (RR, 2.56; 95% CI, 0.35-18.60; p-value 0.35), and neither did it increase good histological response (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90-1.05; p-value 0.48). ZA treatment was associated with higher risk of adverse events. Based on existing data, the use of ZA as adjuvant therapy is not recommended for the treatment of OSA patients.

A case report of multisite arterial thrombosis in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND: A systemic coagulation dysfunction has been associated with COVID-19. In this case report, we describe a COVID-19-positive patient with multisite arterial thrombosis, presenting with acute limb ischaemia and concomitant ST-elevation myocardial infarction and oligo-symptomatic lung disease. CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old lady with history of hypertension and chronic kidney disease presented to the Emergency Department with acute-onset left leg pain, pulselessness, and partial loss of motor function. Acute limb ischaemia was diagnosed. At the same time, a routine ECG showed ST-segment elevation, diagnostic for inferior myocardial infarction. On admission, a nasopharyngeal swab was performed to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as per hospital protocol during the current COVID-19 pandemic. A total-body CT angiography was performed to investigate the cause of acute limb ischaemia and to rule out aortic dissection; the examination showed a total occlusion of the left common iliac artery and a non-obstructive thrombosis of a subsegmental pulmonary artery branch in the right basal lobe. Lung CT scan confirmed a typical pattern of interstitial COVID-19 pneumonia. Coronary angiography showed a thrombotic occlusion of the proximal segment of the right coronary artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed, with manual thrombectomy, followed by deployment of two stents. The patient was subsequently transferred to the operating room, where a Fogarty thrombectomy was performed. The patient was then admitted to the COVID area of our hospital. Seven hours later, the swab returned positive for COVID-19. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 can have an atypical presentation with thrombosis at multiple sites.

Threshold for calcium volume evaluation in patients with aortic valve stenosis: correlation with Agatston score.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of aortic valve calcium burden is important when planning for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Although a robust golden standard methodology is available for calcium evaluation on noncontrast-enhanced (NCE) computed tomographic (CT) series, a standard reference for calcium assessment on contrast-enhanced CT series is currently lacking. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-four preprocedural CT scans from patients who had received TAVI were analysed. We correlated the aortic calcium volumes obtained on CE series at three thresholds [450, 850, and 'probe + 100' Hounsfield Units (HU)] with the Agatston score obtained on NCE scans. A subgroup analysis was performed taking into account the contrast enhancement of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), with a prespecified cut-off of 300 HU. RESULTS: The overall population analysis showed higher correlation with the Agatston score using the 850 HU threshold (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001); no correlation was found with the 450 HU threshold, whilst the 'probe + 100' HU threshold showed a weaker correlation (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001). In patients with LVOT enhancement less than 300 HU, 450 HU showed the highest accuracy in calcium identification (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001), whereas in patients with LVOT enhancement of at least 300 HU, the most accurate threshold was 850 HU (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The thresholds for correct calcium identification using the automatic 3Mensio software depend on the contrast enhancement of aortic and cardiac structures, which can be estimated by measuring the HU in the LVOT. In patients with LVOT HU of less than 300, the correct threshold to be set in the software is 450 HU, whereas in patients with LVOT HU of at least 300 the correct threshold is 850 HU.