Development of a Decision Aid for Parents Who Elect Tonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel patient decision aid (PtDA) for parents considering tonsillectomy for their children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and compare it to validated scales related to decision making in this context. These included scales for decisional conflict (DC) and shared decision making (SDM). METHODS: A parental survey during 2017 to 2018 in a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology clinic was conducted comparing a validated Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) with a new PtDA that included an SDM scale, parental treatment goals, and knowledge about adenotonsillectomy and OSA. DCS scores range from 0 to 100 with values less than 25 considered to be low DC. The DQ was determined by a score on the PtDA. The PtDA was composed of a knowledge score, SDM score and 5 related values scored along a continuum (these were: resolution of symptoms, avoiding anesthesia, avoiding surgery, avoiding pain/bleeding, and resumption of normal behavior). A high score meant that all answers were consistent with choosing tonsillectomy and imply better DQ. RESULTS: A total of 89 parents or guardians participated in the study. The mean DC score was 4.32 (95% CI: 2.57-6.07). The mean DQ score was 22.69 (95% CI: 21.86-23.51). Mean values score was 5.35 (95% CI: 5.05-5.65). The mean knowledge score was 9.00 (95% CI: 8.60-9.40). SDM score mean was 8.38 (95% CI: 7.85-8.91). Using Spearman's rho, DC versus DQ inversely correlated with a coefficient -.209 via a 2-tailed test (P = .05). Cronbach's alpha for the DQ score was .78. CONCLUSION: DC scores overall were low for the group. DQ, as measured with the novel PtDA, had an inverse correlation with DC scores, suggesting validity of the proposed PtDA. Our instrument has potential use as a PtDA for parents who are offered tonsillectomy for their children.

Second-opinion reads in prostate MRI: added value of subspecialty interpretation and review at multidisciplinary rounds.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the impact of second-opinion review of multiparametric prostate MRI for cancer detection by a multidisciplinary review board at a tertiary care center when compared with the initial community radiologist interpretation. METHODS: Cases were collected retrospectively from multidisciplinary prostate MRI rounds from 2017 to 2020 at a single tertiary care center. Patients with suspected prostate cancer or on active surveillance were referred for consideration of TRUS/MRI-fusion biopsy based on community-read prostate MRIs. All MRIs were re-read by subspecialized abdominal radiologists and a PI-RADS score assigned. Targeted fusion and 8-12 core systematic biopsy was performed in patients with PIRADS ≥ 3 lesions. Cohen kappa values were used to quantify interobserver agreement. Positive predictive value (PPV) was used to determine accuracy of PI-RADS score for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) (ISUP Grade Group ≥ 2). RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-two lesions in 303 patients were reviewed and 252 lesions in 198 patients biopsied. The PI-RADS score was concordant in 60.5% of lesions, downgraded in 17.8%, and upgraded in 7.8%. Agreement between community and tertiary center interpretation was fair (κ = 0.354), with greater agreement for PI-RADS ≥ 4 (κ = 0.523) than PI-RADS ≥ 3 (κ = 0.456), and peripheral zone (κ = 0.419) than transition zone lesions (κ = 0.251). Prevalence of csPCa in biopsied lesions was 40.9%. CONCLUSION: There is variability in community and tertiary care center interpretation of prostate MRI in cancer detection, with higher concordance rates for higher grade and peripheral zone lesions. These differences demonstrate the added value of multidisciplinary round review and highlight the need for ongoing education and feedback.

Sleep endoscopy findings in children in supine versus left lateral position.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) change with lateral positioning. METHODS: Children undergoing DISE for OSA in 2018-19 at a tertiary care children's hospital were positioned first supine and then in left lateral (LL) and findings were compared. RESULTS: 63 children were included, 30 (47.6%) female and 33 (52.4%) male, mean age 4.64 years, and a mean Z-score 0.70. Mean pre-op Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was 6.41 and REM AHI was 15.04. In supine position, 20 had obstruction at the palate (31.7%), 39 (61.9%) had obstruction at each of the base of tongue and the larynx, 17 (27.0%) had obstruction at the tonsils. In LL position, 11 (17.5%) were obstructed at the palate, 21 (33.3%) at the tonsils, 8 (12.7%) at the base of tongue and 7 (11.1%) at the larynx. Larynx and base of tongue were most likely to improve in LL position, as 54% of patients obstructed in supine position were open in LL position. Overall 38 (60.3%) patients improved on LL, 18 (28.6%) had no change, and 7 (11.1%) worsened. 30 (47.6%) patients improved in 1 site while 12 (19.0%) improved in more than 1 site. 16 (25.4%) patients worsened in 1 site and 9 (56.3%) of these had improvement in another site. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients improved airway patency, particularly at the base of tongue/larynx, during DISE when placed in LL position as compared to standard supine positioning.

Evaluating collagenase Clostridium histolyticum administration protocols in the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Treatment of Peyronie's disease with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCh) has gained world-wide adoption following the phase III clinical trials IMPRESS I and II. However, the optimal treatment parameters remain largely unknown. Many groups have made modifications to CCh treatment in Peyronie's disease in recent years. This review aims to discuss the variations in CCh treatment reported and associated outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Variations in CCh treatment protocols include administering higher CCh doses (0.9 mg) less frequently (q1month), use of home penile modeling, use of angulating penile traction devices, and vacuum therapy devices. Authors have reported different injection techniques to include three-point fans and tunneling techniques. Patient selection has expanded to include and evaluate responses among men with some extent of plaque calcification, and ventral curves. SUMMARY: Since publication of the IMPRESS trials, several variations of CCh treatment have been reported with similar treatment responses to the original trials. However, future studies are required with prospective, randomized comparative designs to identify the optimal treatment strategies for men with Peyronie's disease.

A defined syphilis vaccine candidate inhibits dissemination of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum.

Syphilis is a prominent disease in low- and middle-income countries, and a re-emerging public health threat in high-income countries. Syphilis elimination will require development of an effective vaccine that has thus far remained elusive. Here we assess the vaccine potential of Tp0751, a vascular adhesin from the causative agent of syphilis, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum. Tp0751-immunized animals exhibit a significantly reduced bacterial organ burden upon T. pallidum challenge compared with unimmunized animals. Introduction of lymph nodes from Tp0751-immunized, T. pallidum-challenged animals to naive animals fails to induce infection, confirming sterile protection. These findings provide evidence that Tp0751 is a promising syphilis vaccine candidate.