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Current Updates on Diagnosis and Management of Cholangiocarcinoma: from Surgery to Targeted Therapy.Acta Medica Indonesiana Jul 2023Cholangiocarcinoma is commonly described as any malignancy arising from the lining of the bile duct and is recognized as one of the most common biliary malignancies. We... (Review)
Review
Cholangiocarcinoma is commonly described as any malignancy arising from the lining of the bile duct and is recognized as one of the most common biliary malignancies. We conducted a literature review of current available evidences and guidelines.Based on the anatomical location of the origin of the mass, cholangiocarcinoma can be divided into intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma. Each of these subtypes has their own risk factors, best treatment options, and prognosis. The most common risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma also differs based on geography and population backgrounds. Histopathological biopsy remained the gold standard for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis, however various advances has been made in diagnostic procedure, including MRCP, EUS, ERCP, EBUS, and cholangioscopy. Surgical resection is still the best treatment modality for cholangiocarcinoma, but it can only be done in few patients considering most patients were diagnosed in the unresectable state. Other treatment options includes conventional chemotherapy, locoregional therapy, systemic targeted therapy, and palliative best supportive care. Cholangiocarcinoma has an abundance of molecular targets and advances in biomolecular technologies bring further hope for future curative treatment options. Treatment options should be chosen individually based on each patient's condition and setting. Cholangiocarcinoma is still a major health problem in hepatobiliary malignancies. Multiple options are available for cholangiocarcinoma treatments.
Topics: Humans; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Cholangiocarcinoma; Prognosis; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 37915146
DOI: No ID Found -
Hormone and Metabolic Research =... May 2024Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy is a non-inflammatory toxic myopathy typified by proximal muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, fatigue, and easy fatigability. These vague... (Review)
Review
Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy is a non-inflammatory toxic myopathy typified by proximal muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, fatigue, and easy fatigability. These vague symptoms coupled with underlying disorders may mask the signs of glucocorticoid-induced myopathy, leading to an underestimation of the disease's impact. This review briefly summarizes the classification, pathogenesis, and treatment options for glucocorticoid-induced muscle wasting. Additionally, we discuss current diagnostic measures in clinical research and routine care used for diagnosing and monitoring glucocorticoid-induced myopathy, which includes gait speed tests, muscle strength tests, hematologic tests, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography, quantitative muscle ultrasound, histological examination, and genetic analysis. Continuous monitoring of patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy plays an important role in enabling early detection of glucocorticoid-induced myopathy, allowing physicians to modify treatment plans before significant clinical weakness arises.
Topics: Humans; Glucocorticoids; Muscular Diseases
PubMed: 38224966
DOI: 10.1055/a-2246-2900 -
Cureus Jan 2024Thyroid nodules (TNs) are prevalent and found in up to 50% of individuals. While most TNs are benign, some can be malignant. The evaluation of TNs is crucial to rule out... (Review)
Review
Thyroid nodules (TNs) are prevalent and found in up to 50% of individuals. While most TNs are benign, some can be malignant. The evaluation of TNs is crucial to rule out malignancy and identify those requiring surgical intervention. This study aimed to clarify the reported prevalence of TNs, focusing specifically on their various types, assessment and diagnostic processes, current evaluation methods, and evidence-based management. It also provides recommendations for follow-up. TNs are typically found during physical exams or incidentally during imaging procedures. Routine laboratory and clinical evaluations of TNs are common. Ultrasound is the preferred imaging method to determine if a TN needs a biopsy. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is crucial in deciding whether surgery or surveillance is necessary. TNs that show suspicious features on the ultrasound may require cytologic analysis to assess the risk of malignancy. The effectiveness of several supplementary molecular tests is still uncertain, although some studies report promising results. The management and treatment approach for TNs primarily depends on the results of FNA cytology and ultrasound characteristics. The optimal treatment strategy for TNs ranges from straightforward follow-ups for low-risk cases to surgical intervention for high-risk patients. Rather than adopting a uniform approach, clinicians should assess each patient on a case-by-case basis using current knowledge and a collaborative, multidisciplinary method.
PubMed: 38352091
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52232 -
GE Portuguese Journal of... Apr 2024The role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of the small bowel is well established, and current guidelines position it as a first-line test in a variety of clinical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of the small bowel is well established, and current guidelines position it as a first-line test in a variety of clinical scenarios. The advent of double-headed capsules further enabled the endoscopic assessment of colonic mucosa and the opportunity for a one-step noninvasive examination of the entire bowel (pan-enteric capsule endoscopy [PCE]).
SUMMARY
We reviewed the technical procedure and preparation of patients for PCE, as well as its current clinical applications and future perspectives. In non-stricturing and non-penetrating Crohn's disease affecting the small bowel and colon, PCE monitors disease activity by assessing mucosal healing, a major treatment outcome, with a higher diagnostic yield than cross-sectional imaging or conventional colonoscopy. Also in ulcerative colitis, double-headed capsules have been used to monitor disease activity noninvasively. Currently, validated scoring systems have been specifically devised for these double-headed capsules and permit a standardized assessment of the inflammatory burden. In suspected mid-lower digestive bleeding, some exploratory studies have demonstrated the feasibility and high diagnostic yield of PCE, which may work as a filter indicating which patients may benefit of further invasive procedures, namely, for planned hemostatic procedures. The possibility of using PCE is also discussed in the context of polyposis syndromes with simultaneous involvement of the small intestine and colon.
KEY MESSAGES
PCE is a feasible, effective, and safe diagnostic procedure to evaluate the small bowel and colon. It has been increasingly explored in the setting of inflammatory bowel diseases and, more recently, in suspected mid-lower digestive bleeding. PCE is expected to reduce the demand for invasive procedures and expand the scope of noninvasive intestinal evaluation in the coming future.
PubMed: 38572440
DOI: 10.1159/000533960 -
Medicine Jul 2023As a multifactorial degenerative disease, Parkinson disease (PD) causes tremor, gait rigidity, and hypokinesia, which interfere with normal life. Because the disease is... (Review)
Review
As a multifactorial degenerative disease, Parkinson disease (PD) causes tremor, gait rigidity, and hypokinesia, which interfere with normal life. Because the disease is usually discovered in the late stage of complete degeneration of neurons, it can greatly delay treatment and even eventually lead to death. Therefore, the diagnosis of this disease is very challenging, and it is gratifying that substantial progress has been made in the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a diagnostic biomarker for this disease, and genetic and imaging tests have become part of routine protocols in clinical practice. In the cognition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this disease belongs to deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality, which is always caused by deficiency of liver and kidney, deficiency of qi and blood, and is closely related to wind, fire, phlegm and blood stasis. A large number of studies have shown that TCM can effectively treat motor and non-motor symptoms of PD, combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammatory response, and improve the quality of life of patients. Based on the pathophysiological mechanism of PD, this paper discusses the treatment of PD by TCM acupuncture combined with medicine based on syndrome differentiation.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Quality of Life; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Acupuncture Therapy; Syndrome
PubMed: 37505150
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034278 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Sep 2023: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and... (Review)
Review
: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and antitumor immunity. The main task of a pulmonologist oncologist is to establish a tumor diagnosis and, ideally, to confirm the stage of the disease with the least invasive technique possible. : The paper will summarize published reviews and original papers, as well as published clinical studies and case reports, which studied the role and compared the methods of invasive pulmonology diagnostics to obtain adequate tumor tissue samples for molecular analysis, thereby determining the most effective molecular treatments. : Bronchoscopy is often recommended as the initial diagnostic procedure for LC. If the tumor is endoscopically visible, the biopsy sample is susceptible to molecular testing, the same as tumor tissue samples obtained from surgical resection and mediastinoscopy. The use of new sampling methods, such as cryobiopsy for peripheral tumor lesions or cytoblock obtained by ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), enables obtaining adequate small biopsies and cytological samples for molecular testing, which have until recently been considered unsuitable for this type of analysis. During LC patients' treatment, resistance occurs due to changes in the mutational tumor status or pathohistological tumor type. Therefore, the repeated taking of liquid biopsies for molecular analysis or rebiopsy of tumor tissue for new pathohistological and molecular profiling has recently been mandated. : In thoracic oncology, preference should be given to the least invasive diagnostic procedure providing a sample for histology rather than for cytology. However, there is increasing evidence that, when properly processed, cytology samples can be sufficient for both the cancer diagnosis and molecular analyses. A good knowledge of diagnostic procedures is essential for LC diagnosing and treatment in the personalized therapy era.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
PubMed: 37893442
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101723 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part... (Review)
Review
Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only suitable for research purposes or lack practicality for everyday use. The aim of this paper is to assist the equine veterinarian in the process of decision making associated with managing SEA-affected patients. This review will focus on disease diagnosis and monitoring, while also presenting a flow-chart which includes the basic data that the clinician must obtain in order to accurately identify severely asthmatic horses in their everyday routine practice. It is important to note that European and American board-certified specialists on equine internal medicine can provide assistance in the diagnosis and treatment plan of SEA-affected horses.
PubMed: 38136909
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243872 -
Hepatology Communications Jul 2023Advanced fibrosis is associated with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and mortality in NAFLD. As treatments specifically targeted at NAFLD are lacking, patient management...
BACKGROUND
Advanced fibrosis is associated with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and mortality in NAFLD. As treatments specifically targeted at NAFLD are lacking, patient management focuses on surveillance for early detection of complications related to end-stage liver disease. Although current and emerging diagnostic tools for the detection of advanced fibrosis are crucial for surveillance, their added value is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the costs and health outcomes of noninvasive tests in patient management strategies for diagnosing advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients.
METHOD
A decision analytical model was developed to evaluate 13 patient management strategies, including a no-testing strategy and 12 diagnostic algorithms with noninvasive tests (fibrosis 4- score, enhanced liver fibrosis, vibration controlled transient elastography), and liver biopsy. Model inputs were synthesized from the literature and Swedish registries. Lifetime health care costs, life years, quality-adjusted life years, clinical outcomes, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for a cohort of 55-year-old patients diagnosed with NAFLD.
RESULT
The cost per quality-adjusted life year was above €50 000 for all diagnostic algorithms compared to no-testing. The cost per quality-adjusted life year of the most promising diagnostic algorithm (fibrosis 4- score, enhanced liver fibrosis, vibration controlled transient elastography, and liver biopsy) was ∼ €181 000 compared with no testing. Sensitivity analysis indicated that if treatment slowed down disease progression, the value of testing increased.
CONCLUSION
The result questions the overall value of comprehensive diagnostic testing in a broad NAFLD population in current routine clinical care. The role of noninvasive tests may change if evidence-based treatments to slow down disease progression emerge.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis; End Stage Liver Disease; Liver Cirrhosis; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37347223
DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000191 -
Biomedical Engineering Online Dec 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to objectively evaluate the evidence of machine learning (ML) in the patient diagnosis of Intracranial Hemorrhage... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to objectively evaluate the evidence of machine learning (ML) in the patient diagnosis of Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) on computed tomography (CT) scans.
METHODS
Until May 2023, systematic searches were conducted in ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, CINAHL, Science Direct, PROSPERO, and EMBASE for studies that evaluated the diagnostic precision of ML model-assisted ICH detection. Patients with and without ICH as the target condition who were receiving CT-Scan were eligible for the research, which used ML algorithms based on radiologists' reports as the gold reference standard. For meta-analysis, pooled sensitivities, specificities, and a summary receiver operating characteristics curve (SROC) were used.
RESULTS
At last, after screening the title, abstract, and full paper, twenty-six retrospective and three prospective, and two retrospective/prospective studies were included. The overall (Diagnostic Test Accuracy) DTA of retrospective studies with a pooled sensitivity was 0.917 (95% CI 0.88-0.943, I = 99%). The pooled specificity was 0.945 (95% CI 0.918-0.964, I = 100%). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 219.47 (95% CI 104.78-459.66, I = 100%). These results were significant for the specificity of the different network architecture models (p-value = 0.0289). However, the results for sensitivity (p-value = 0.6417) and DOR (p-value = 0.2187) were not significant. The ResNet algorithm has higher pooled specificity than other algorithms with 0.935 (95% CI 0.854-0.973, I = 93%).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis on DTA of ML algorithms for detecting ICH by assessing non-contrast CT-Scans shows the ML has an acceptable performance in diagnosing ICH. Using ResNet in ICH detection remains promising prediction was improved via training in an Architecture Learning Network (ALN).
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Retrospective Studies; Algorithms; Machine Learning; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 38049809
DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01172-1 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Jun 2024The EFLM Task and Finish Group Urinalysis has updated the ECLM European Urinalysis Guidelines (2000) on urinalysis and urine bacterial culture, to improve accuracy of...
BACKGROUND
The EFLM Task and Finish Group Urinalysis has updated the ECLM European Urinalysis Guidelines (2000) on urinalysis and urine bacterial culture, to improve accuracy of these examinations in European clinical laboratories, and to support diagnostic industry to develop new technologies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Graded recommendations were built in the following areas.
MEDICAL NEEDS AND TEST REQUISITION
Strategies of urine testing are described to patients with complicated or uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), and high or low-risk to kidney disease.
SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Patient preparation, and urine collection are supported with two quality indicators: contamination rate (cultures), and density of urine (chemistry, particles).
CHEMISTRY
Measurements of both urine albumin and α1-microglobulin are recommended for sensitive detection of kidney disease in high-risk patients. Performance specifications are given for urine protein measurements and quality control of multiproperty strip tests.
PARTICLES
Procedures for microscopy are reviewed for diagnostic urine particles, including urine bacteria. Technologies in automated particle counting and visual microscopy are updated with advice how to verify new instruments with the reference microscopy.
BACTERIOLOGY
Chromogenic agar is recommended as primary medium in urine cultures. Limits of significant growth are reviewed, with an optimised workflow for routine specimens, using leukocyturia to reduce less important antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Automation in bacteriology is encouraged to shorten turn-around times. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry is applicable for rapid identification of uropathogens. and are taken into the list of uropathogens. A reference examination procedure was developed for urine bacterial cultures.
PubMed: 38534005
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2024-0070