The disappearing act: case of a migrating left renal vein stent.

INTRODUCTION: Nutcracker syndrome (NS) is a rare condition in which the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery compress the left renal vein (LRV). One treatment option is the placement of an endovascular stent into the LRV, which carries the risk of stent migration. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old female with NS status-post LRV stenting 6 months prior presented to the emergency department with suprapubic pain. An incidental finding on abdominal computed tomography scan noted interval removal of LRV stent, which had not been surgically removed. A subsequent chest radiograph showed the stent lodged in the left pulmonary artery. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of LRV stent migration to the pulmonary artery. This case demonstrates the importance of physician awareness of stent migration as a potential complication after stent placement, and careful review of all imaging findings, even if unrelated to the chief complaint.

Selectivity of osilodrostat as an inhibitor of human steroidogenic cytochromes P450.

Osilodrostat (LCI699) is a potent inhibitor of the human steroidogenic cytochromes P450 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). LCI699 is FDA-approved for the treatment of Cushing disease, which is characterized by chronic overproduction of cortisol. While phase II and III clinical studies have proven the clinical efficacy and tolerability of LCI699 for treating Cushing disease, few studies have attempted to fully assess the effects of LCI699 on adrenal steroidogenesis. To this end, we first comprehensively analyzed LCI699-mediated inhibition of steroid synthesis in the NCI-H295R human adrenocortical cancer cell line. We then studied LCI699 inhibition using HEK-293 or V79 cells stably expressing individual human steroidogenic P450 enzymes. Our studies using intact cells confirm the potent inhibition of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 with negligible inhibition of 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1) and 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2). Furthermore, partial inhibition of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) was observed. To calculate the dissociation constant (Kd) of LCI699 with the adrenal mitochondrial P450 enzymes, we successfully incorporated P450s into lipid nanodiscs and carried out spectrophotometric equilibrium and competition binding assays. Our binding experiments confirm the high affinity of LCI699 to CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 (Kd ≈ 1 nM or less) and much weaker binding for CYP11A1 (Kd = 18.8 µM). Our results confirm the selectivity of LCI699 for CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 and demonstrate partial inhibition of CYP11A1 but not CYP17A1 and CYP21A2.

A rare life-threatening complication of acute mastoiditis: Case report and literature review.

Severe complications may not always present with "classic" signs and symptoms. In the setting of recent mastoiditis, complications including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, skull base osteomyelitis, and retropharyngeal abscess should be considered, particularly with persistent or worsening symptoms. A broad differential can lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the likelihood of morbidity and mortality.

Accuracy of Weight Estimation Using the Broselow Tape in a Peruvian Pediatric Population.

Introduction The Broselow tape (BT) is a useful pediatric tool for weight estimation and dosing reference during emergency care. Many accuracy studies have been performed for various countries and regions of the world but there is very little information for Latin American countries. The primary objective of the study was to assess the accuracy of the BT in a Peruvian pediatric population. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 1,160 children aged two to 19 years from three outpatient clinics in La Libertad, Lima, and Iquitos, Peru. Patient height and weight were measured and compared with the weight and color zone generated by the 2017 edition of the BT. Accuracy was estimated by statistical comparison of mean absolute percent differences, error within 10% (EW10), and color zone agreement. Results Comparison of mean differences between measured weight (MW) and estimated BT weight shows that the BT underestimates actual weight for all color zones in this population. Likewise, the Bland-Altman plot of agreement between estimated and measured weights shows an overall underestimation, or bias, equal to 1.60 kg. The overall percent difference was -7.84% with differences gradually increasing for weights over 10 kg. In terms of accuracy, the overall error within 10% was 62.8%. Conclusion The BT underestimates the actual weight of Peruvian pediatric patients in all color categories, particularly in children with higher body mass indexes. Underestimation of weight may lead to the use of non-therapeutic medication doses or incorrect equipment sizes and, subsequently, ineffective resuscitation.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in infants and children: is it superior to conventional laparoscopy?

INTRODUCTION: Open pyeloplasty (OP) has been the first-line treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) since it was first described by Anderson and Hynes. The use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to treat UPJO in the pediatric population has increased in recent years, due to decreased morbidity and shorter recovery times. Recently, robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) has seen a steady expansion. Unlike laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP), RALP comes with a more manageable learning curve aided by specialized technological advantages such as high-resolution three-dimensional view, tremor filtration with motion scaling, and highly dexterous wrist-like instruments. With this review, we aim to highlight the trend toward robotic pyeloplasty over laparoscopy and current available evidence on outcomes. METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases, and we critically reviewed the available literature on the use of laparoscopy and robotic technology in pediatric patients with UPJO. RESULTS: Overall, we selected 19 original articles and 5 meta-analyses. The available literature showed that the robotic approach to the UPJO allowed for decreased operative times, shorter length of hospital stay, lower complication rates, with success rates comparable to LP. Conflicting results persist regarding robotic platform and equipment costs. CONCLUSION: While laparoscopy requires advanced skills for complex reconstructive procedures, such as pyeloplasty, robot-assisted surgery offers the valuable potential of making MIS more accessible to these types of procedure. Robotic technology has contributed to shortening the learning curve by acting as a bridge between open and endoscopic approach. There is still a strong need for higher quality evidence in the form of prospective observational studies and clinical trials, as well as further cost-effectiveness analyses. As robotic surgical technology spreads, future systems will be developed, offering smaller and more flexible tools, allowing enhanced applications on pediatric patients.