-
Journal of Korean Medical Science Mar 2022Non-palpable splenomegaly in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) has seldom been addressed. In this retrospective study, we evaluated non-palpable, volumetric...
BACKGROUND
Non-palpable splenomegaly in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) has seldom been addressed. In this retrospective study, we evaluated non-palpable, volumetric splenomegaly defined based on age- and body surface area (BSA)-matched criteria in patients with PV diagnosed according to the 2016 World Health Organization diagnostic criteria.
METHODS
Patients with PV who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and who had palpable splenomegaly at diagnosis from January 1991 to December 2020 at Chungnam National University Hospital were enrolled. The spleen volume of each patient was determined by volumetric analysis of abdominal CT and adjusted for the patient's age and BSA. Then the degree of splenomegaly was classified as no splenomegaly, borderline volumetric splenomegaly, overt volumetric splenomegaly, or palpable splenomegaly.
RESULTS
Of the 87 PV patients enrolled, 15 (17.2%) had no splenomegaly, whereas 17 (19.5%), 45 (51.7%), and 10 (11.5%) had borderline volumetric, overt volumetric, and palpable splenomegaly, respectively. The degree of splenomegaly did not affect the cumulative incidence of thrombotic vascular events (10-year incidence: 7.7%, 0%, 22.3%, and 50.7%, respectively, = 0.414). By contrast, splenomegaly tended to adversely affect myelofibrotic transformation (10-year cumulative incidence: 0%, 0%, 7.1%, and 30.3%, respectively, = 0.062). Moreover, the cumulative incidence of myelofibrotic transformation was significantly higher in patients with overt volumetric or palpable splenomegaly than those with no or borderline volumetric splenomegaly (10-year incidence: 0% vs. 10.3%, respectively; 15-year incidence: 0% vs. 26.3%, respectively, = 0.020). Overall survival (OS) differed among patients with different degrees of splenomegaly (15-year OS: 100%, 78.6%, 71.7%, and 51.9%, respectively, = 0.021).
CONCLUSION
The degree of splenomegaly, including volumetric splenomegaly, based on age- and BSA-matched reference spleen volumes at diagnosis reflects disease progression in PV patients. Therefore, volumetric splenomegaly should be evaluated at the time of diagnosis and taken into consideration when predicting the prognosis of patients with PV.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polycythemia Vera; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies; Splenomegaly; Young Adult
PubMed: 35315598
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e87 -
Journal of the American College of... May 2023Palpable masses in women are the most common symptom associated with breast cancer. This document reviews and evaluates the current evidence for imaging recommendations... (Review)
Review
Palpable masses in women are the most common symptom associated with breast cancer. This document reviews and evaluates the current evidence for imaging recommendations of palpable masses in women less than 30 to over 40 years of age. There is also a review of several different scenarios and recommendations after initial imaging. Ultrasound is usually the appropriate initial imaging for women under 30 years of age. If ultrasound findings are suspicious or highly suggestive of malignancy (BIRADS 4 or 5), it is usually appropriate to continue with diagnostic tomosynthesis or mammography with image-guided biopsy. No further imaging is recommended if the ultrasound is benign or negative. The patient under 30 years of age with a probably benign ultrasound may undergo further imaging; however, the clinical scenario plays a role in the decision to biopsy. For women between 30 to 39 years of age, ultrasound, diagnostic mammography, tomosynthesis, and ultrasound are usually appropriate. Diagnostic mammography and tomosynthesis are the appropriate initial imaging for women 40 years of age or older, as ultrasound may be appropriate if the patient had a negative mammogram within 6 months of presentation or immediately after mammography findings are suspicious or highly suggestive of malignancy. If the diagnostic mammogram, tomosynthesis, and ultrasound findings are probably benign, no further imaging is necessary unless the clinical scenario indicates a biopsy. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
Topics: Humans; Female; United States; Adult; Middle Aged; Infant; Societies, Medical; Evidence-Based Medicine; Mammography; Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 37236740
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.02.013 -
The Journal of Hand Surgery... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Wrist; Wrist Joint; Upper Extremity
PubMed: 38553850
DOI: 10.1142/S2424835524710024 -
Central European Journal of Urology 2022Small testicular lesions ≤20 mm (STL) detected by ultrasound (US), usually non-palpable, have been reported to be benign in up to 80% of cases. Thus, partial...
INTRODUCTION
Small testicular lesions ≤20 mm (STL) detected by ultrasound (US), usually non-palpable, have been reported to be benign in up to 80% of cases. Thus, partial orchiectomy with or without frozen section examination and surveillance has been advocated for these kinds of lesions. We seek to report the proportion of benign lesions in testicular tumors ≤20 mm detected by US in our population and explore the predicting factors of malignancy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective descriptive study of orchiectomies performed for testicular tumors in patients older than 15 years between 2005 and 2019 was performed, including all patients with lesions ≤20 mm on US imaging.
RESULTS
A total of 70 patients with STL were included (mean age 34.6 ±10.8 years). Overall, 69% of the lesions were malignant while the smallest lesions (≤10 mm) showed 61% of cancer. Moreover, in the subgroup of non-palpable lesions ≤10 mm, 50% were malignant. Multifocal tumors were found in 18 subjects with a malignancy rate of 88%. There was a significant association between maximum size on US, multifocality and malignancy. Neither tumor markers nor palpability foretold a malignant lesion. A predictive model including size and multifocality was created showing a positive predictive value of 83.3%.
CONCLUSIONS
US maximum size and multifocality were predictors of malignancy in STL. However, even the smallest lesions showed a 50% chance of being malignant, thus surgery with or without intraoperative biopsy is warranted in most cases.
PubMed: 35591957
DOI: 10.5173/ceju.2022.0206 -
Nature Biotechnology Dec 2019Autologous T cells that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the B cell antigen CD19 have yielded remarkable clinical... (Review)
Review
Autologous T cells that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the B cell antigen CD19 have yielded remarkable clinical responses in patients with B cell malignancies, and are now on the market as anticancer 'drugs'. Riding on this success, the field of immune cell engineering is rapidly growing, with creative solutions to major outstanding challenges, such as limitations in target antigen selection, the hostility of the tumor microenvironment and the logistical challenges of generating autologous therapies. Innovations in antigen receptor design, coupled with advances in gene transfer and gene-editing technologies, have enabled the engineering of T cells to have sophisticated sensing circuits, to have synthetic functionalities, and to be used as off-the-shelf, universal cellular products. As these technologies are applied to other immune cells, such as natural killer cells, hematopoietic cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, the potential to transform the treatment of many cancers, as well as other diseases, is palpably exciting. We discuss the pipeline of several influential innovations in the preclinical setting, the early translational results from clinical trials of these next-generation approaches, and the outlook for gene-modified or gene-edited cell therapies.
Topics: Antigens, CD19; Cell Engineering; Gene Editing; Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Leukemia, B-Cell; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 31160723
DOI: 10.1038/s41587-019-0137-8 -
Ultraschall in Der Medizin (Stuttgart,... Aug 2022Wire-guided localization (WGL) is the most frequently used localization technique in non-palpable breast cancer (BC). However, low negative margin rates, patient... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Wire-guided localization (WGL) is the most frequently used localization technique in non-palpable breast cancer (BC). However, low negative margin rates, patient discomfort, and the possibility of wire dislocation have been discussed as potential disadvantages, and re-operation due to positive margins may increase relapse risk. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS)-guided excision allows direct visualization of the lesion and the resection volume and reduces positive margins in palpable and non-palpable tumors. We performed a systematic review on IOUS in breast cancer and 2 meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). In non-palpable BC, 3 RCTs have shown higher negative margin rates in the IOUS arm compared to WGL. Meta-analysis confirmed a significant difference between IOUS and WGL in terms of positive margins favoring IOUS (risk ratio 4.34, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). 41 cohort studies including 3291 patients were identified, of which most reported higher negative margin and lower re-operation rates if IOUS was used. In palpable BC, IOUS was compared to palpation-guided excision in 3 RCTs. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher rates of positive margins in the palpation arm (risk ratio 2.84, p = 0.0047, I2 = 0%). In 13 cohort studies including 942 patients with palpable BC, negative margin rates were higher if IOUS was used, and tissue volumes were higher in palpation-guided cohorts in most studies. IOUS is a safe noninvasive technique for the localization of sonographically visible tumors that significantly improves margin rates in palpable and non-palpable BC. Surgeons should be encouraged to acquire ultrasound skills and participate in breast ultrasound training.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Margins of Excision; Mastectomy, Segmental; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Ultrasonography, Mammary
PubMed: 35760079
DOI: 10.1055/a-1821-8559 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Apr 2022Laparoscopic orchiopexy (LO) was recently described as superior to open orchiopexy (OO) for palpable undescended testes (UDT). We aimed to investigate the outcomes of LO... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Laparoscopic orchiopexy (LO) was recently described as superior to open orchiopexy (OO) for palpable undescended testes (UDT). We aimed to investigate the outcomes of LO of palpable UDT in relation to high retroperitoneal dissection, Prentiss maneuver and intrascrotal testis fixation; also, to identify evidence for the safety, efficacy and cost of LO compared with OO in palpable UDT.
METHODS
Systematic search was performed for all studies on LO for palpable UDT, and for all comparative studies between LO and OO in palpable UDT. Fisher's test was used to assess associations between success/complications rates and different LO approaches and meta-analysis to compare LO and OO.
RESULTS
In LO, success rates were not affected by regular high dissection (p = 1.0), Prentiss maneuver (p = 1.0) or intrascrotal fixation (p = 1.0); in fact, higher complications rates were noticed with regular high dissection (p = 0.002) and Prentiss maneuver (p = 0.01). Meta-analysis showed no significant differences between LO and OO in success (p = 0.17) and complications (p = 0.14) rates, while LO cost was higher in all comparative studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence shows higher benefit-cost ratio for OO and, therefore, the latter should remain the procedure of choice. LO can be alternatively used, as it shows comparable safety/efficacy, but it should not include high dissection, Prentiss maneuver and testis fixation, when unnecessary.
TYPE OF STUDY
Systematic review and meta-analysis LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
Topics: Cryptorchidism; Dissection; Humans; Infant; Laparoscopy; Male; Orchiopexy
PubMed: 34304904
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.07.003 -
Journal of the American College of... Nov 2019Palpable abdominal masses may arise from the abdominal cavity or the abdominal wall. The differential diagnosis is broad for each variant ranging from benign lipomas,... (Review)
Review
Palpable abdominal masses may arise from the abdominal cavity or the abdominal wall. The differential diagnosis is broad for each variant ranging from benign lipomas, inflammatory processes, to malignant tumors. The imaging approach to diagnosis varies by location. For intra-abdominal masses, contrast-enhanced CT and ultrasound examination have demonstrated accuracy. For abdominal wall masses, which may arise from muscle, subcutaneous tissue, or connective tissue, MRI, CT, and ultrasound all provide diagnostic value. This publication reviews the current evidence supporting the imaging approach to diagnosis of palpable abdominal masses for two variants: suspected intra-abdominal neoplasm and suspected abdominal wall masses. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
Topics: Abdominal Cavity; Abdominal Neoplasms; Contrast Media; Diagnostic Imaging; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Quality Control; Sensitivity and Specificity; Societies, Medical; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography, Doppler; United States
PubMed: 31685106
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.05.014 -
Minerva Urologica E Nefrologica = the... Aug 2019Males who present with a palpable testis nodule are likely to have malignant germ cell tumor in >90% of cases. Therefore radical orchiectomy remains the standard of care... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Males who present with a palpable testis nodule are likely to have malignant germ cell tumor in >90% of cases. Therefore radical orchiectomy remains the standard of care for intratesticular tumors. However, due to the recent developments of high-frequency probes in ultrasonography, the incidence of detecting a small non-palpable testis tumor is higher and higher. These lesions are thought to be benign in more than 60-80% of cases, thus a radical orchiectomy should be considered an overtreatment. In addition to that, radical orchiectomy might cause infertility, psychological issues and endocrine disorders, hence an organ-sparing procedure in such cases should be pursued.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Only fourteen reliable retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. No prospective randomized trials have appeared in Medline database.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
This review of the current literature has confirmed the safety and efficacy of testicular-sparing surgery in selected patients: 1) monorchid patients; 2) bilateral testis masses; 3) normal patients with a small, non-palpable masses detected with US, as long as the dimension of the lesion is up to 3 cm and not greater that 30% of the total volume of the organ.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the literature, testis sparing surgery is a safe and feasible procedure for patients presenting a benign small testis mass. The enthusiasm found in the literature should however be tempered as the small number of patients reported in the studies coupled with the absence of a prospective trial represent important limits that need to be overtaken. Therefore more robust and well-designed studies are needed.
Topics: Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Orchiectomy; Organ Sparing Treatments; Testicular Neoplasms; Testis
PubMed: 30957472
DOI: 10.23736/S0393-2249.19.03315-0 -
Industrial Psychiatry Journal Oct 2021"" An adage was brought to life with the emergence of the mRNA vaccine against the backdrop of the foreboding and mercurial COVID-19 pandemic. Considering a negligible...
"" An adage was brought to life with the emergence of the mRNA vaccine against the backdrop of the foreboding and mercurial COVID-19 pandemic. Considering a negligible adverse-effect profile and a break-neck manufacturing speed, it shone bright as the ideal vaccine candidate. However, "," as was evidenced by the significant reactogenicity, a host of multi-systemic side-effects, that are being reported by the vaccine recipients; which is palpably resulting in a shift of emotions for the vaccine, accounting for vaccine hesitancy. Anaphylaxis, antibody-dependent enhancements, and deaths, comprise the most serious side-effects, albeit occurring in sparing numbers. Storage and transportation require fastidious temperatures, rendering it substantially inaccessible to a country like India. The biggest jolt, however, was the unfolding of the biases in reporting vaccine efficacy, as only the attractively high numbers of the relatively equivocal relative risk reduction were reported while keeping at bay the meager numbers of the more forthright absolute risk reduction. Notwithstanding the fallacies, the mRNA vaccine still promises hope; and with the right precautions and finesse, can be potentiated, as "."
PubMed: 34908713
DOI: 10.4103/0972-6748.328833