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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024This systematic review investigates the potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a predictive biomarker in the management and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma... (Review)
Review
This systematic review investigates the potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a predictive biomarker in the management and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched until 7 January 2024. Selection criteria included research articles exploring ctDNA in the context of anal cancer treatment response, recurrence risk assessment, and consideration of salvage surgery. A total of eight studies were therefore included in the final review, examining a total of 628 patients. These studies focused on three main themes: SCCA diagnosis and staging, treatment response, and patient outcomes. Significant heterogeneity was observed in terms of patient cohort, study methodology, and ctDNA biomarkers. Four studies provided information on the sensitivity of ctDNA biomarkers in SCCA, with a range of 82-100%. Seven studies noted a correlation between pre-treatment ctDNA levels and SCCA disease burden, suggesting that ctDNA could play a role as a biomarker for the staging of SCCA. Across all seven studies with paired pre- and post-treatment ctDNA samples, a trend was seen towards decreasing ctDNA levels post-treatment, with specific identification of a 'fast elimination' group who achieve undetectable ctDNA levels prior to the end of treatment and may be less likely to experience treatment failure. Residual ctDNA detection post-treatment was associated with poorer patient prognosis. This systematic review identifies the broad potential of ctDNA as a useful and decisive tool in the management of SCCA. Further analysis of ctDNA biomarkers that include larger patient cohorts is required in order to clearly evaluate their potential role in clinical decision-making processes.
Topics: Humans; Circulating Tumor DNA; Anus Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
PubMed: 38612815
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074005 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Chronic anal fissure is one of the most common benign anorectal health conditions, causing significant morbidity, quality of life, and economic loss. Eight randomized... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Chronic anal fissure is one of the most common benign anorectal health conditions, causing significant morbidity, quality of life, and economic loss. Eight randomized controlled trials with a total population size of 1035 were eligible for analysis. Seven studies included both males and female, while one only included females. The majority of randomized controlled trials involved female dominance [54.9% (43.5-66.3)] and posterior midline location [86.1% (95% CI 81.5-90.8%)]. This meta-analysis of randomised control trials found that overall postoperative healing was 90.2%, recurrent anal fissure was 3.7%, and postoperative incontinence was 8.9% after LIS. Even though there was no statistically significant difference, closed lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) had higher rates of recurrent anal fissure (RR = 1.73 (95% CI 0.86-3.47, p = 0.90, I2 = 0%) and lower rates of postoperative incontinence rate (RR = 0.60 (95% CI 0.37-0.96, p = 0.76, I2-0) as compared with open LIS. We recommended that closed lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) is a safe and effective surgical treatment option for chronic anal fissures.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Anal Canal; Chronic Disease; Fissure in Ano; Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38017243
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48286-z -
European Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2021Group A Streptococcus has been associated with a perianal infection. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on childhood streptococcal perianitis in three...
Group A Streptococcus has been associated with a perianal infection. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on childhood streptococcal perianitis in three databases: Excerpta Medica, National Library of Medicine, and Web of Science. The main purposes were to document the clinical features, the tendency to recur, the association with an asymptomatic streptococcal throat carriage, the accuracy of rapid streptococcal tests, and the mechanism possibly underlying the acquisition of this infection. More than 80% of cases are boys ≤7.0 years of age with defecation disorders, perianal pain, local itch, rectal bleeding, or fissure and a sharply demarcated perianal redness. Perianitis is associated with a streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in about every fifth case. The time to diagnosis is ≥3 weeks in 65% of cases. Recurrences occur within 3½ months in about 20% of cases. An asymptomatic group A streptococcal throat carriage occurs in 63% of cases. As compared with perianal Streptococcus A culture, the rapid streptococcal tests have a positive predictive value of 80% and a negative predictive value of 96%. It is hypothesized that digital inoculation from nasopharynx to anus underlies perianitis. Many cases are likely caused directly by children, who are throat and nasal carriers of Streptococcus A. Some cases might occur in children, who have their bottoms wiped by caregivers with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis or carriage of Streptococcus.Conclusion: Perianitis is an infection with a distinctive presentation and a rather long time to diagnosis. There is a need for a wider awareness of this condition among healthcare professionals. What is Known: • Group A Streptococcus may cause perianitis in childhood. • Systemic antimicrobials (penicillin V, amoxycillin, or cefuroxime) are superior to topical treatment. What is New: • The clinical presentation is distinctive (defecation disorders, perianal pain, local itch, rectal bleeding, or fissure and a sharply demarcated perianal redness). • The time to diagnosis is usually ≥3 weeks. Recurrences occur in about 20% of cases.
Topics: Amoxicillin; Anal Canal; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Pharyngitis; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes
PubMed: 33532889
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-03965-9 -
Investigative and Clinical Urology May 2024Pudendal neuropathy is an uncommon condition that exhibits several symptoms depending on the site of nerve entrapment. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Pudendal neuropathy is an uncommon condition that exhibits several symptoms depending on the site of nerve entrapment. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pudendal nerve neurolysis (PNN) in improving lower urinary tract symptoms, anal and/or urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunctions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed on 20 May 2023 using Scopus, PubMed, and Embase. Only English and adult papers were included. Meeting abstracts and preclinical studies were excluded.
RESULTS
Twenty-one papers were accepted, revealing significant findings in the field. The study identified four primary sites of pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE), with the most prevalent location likely being at the level of the Alcock canal. Voiding symptoms are commonly exhibited in patients with PNE. PNN improved both urgency and voiding symptoms, and urinary and anal incontinence but is less effective in cases of long-standing entrapment. Regarding sexual function, the recovery of the somatic afferent pathway results in an improvement in erectile function early after neurolysis. Complete relief of persistent genital arousal disorder occurs in women, although bilateral PNN is necessary to achieve the efficacy. PNN is associated with low-grade complications.
CONCLUSIONS
PNN emerges as a viable option for addressing urinary symptoms, fecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and female sexual arousal in patients suffering from PNE with minimal postoperative morbidity.
Topics: Humans; Pudendal Nerve; Pudendal Neuralgia; Fecal Incontinence; Treatment Outcome; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Nerve Block; Male Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Urinary Incontinence
PubMed: 38714513
DOI: 10.4111/icu.20230402 -
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences Nov 2022People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a greater risk of dying from colorectal cancer (CRC), even though the incidence is lower or similar to that of the general... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a greater risk of dying from colorectal cancer (CRC), even though the incidence is lower or similar to that of the general population This pattern is unlikely to be solely explained by lifestyle factors, while the role of differences in cancer healthcare access or treatment is uncertain.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis on access to guideline-appropriate care following CRC diagnosis in people with SMI including the receipt of surgery, chemo- or radiotherapy. We searched for full-text articles indexed by PubMed, EMBASE, PsychInfo and CINAHL that compared CRC treatment in those with and without pre-existing SMI (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar and major affective disorders). Designs included cohort or population-based case-control designs.
RESULTS
There were ten studies (sample size = 3501-591 561). People with SMI had a reduced likelihood of surgery (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.92-0.97; = 0.005; = 4). Meta-analyses were not possible for the other outcomes but in results from individual studies, people with SMI were less likely to receive radiotherapy, chemotherapy or sphincter-sparing procedures. The disparity in care was greatest for those who had been psychiatric inpatients.
CONCLUSIONS
People with SMI, including both psychotic and affective disorders, receive less CRC care than the general population. This might contribute to higher case-fatality rates for an illness where the incidence is no higher than that of the general population. The reasons for this require further investigation, as does the extent to which differences in treatment access or quality contribute to excess CRC mortality in people with SMI.
Topics: Humans; Anal Canal; Organ Sparing Treatments; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 36384819
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796022000634 -
United European Gastroenterology Journal Oct 2020Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition affecting up to 20% of women.
BACKGROUND
Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition affecting up to 20% of women.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated fecal incontinence assessment in both inflammatory bowel disease and non-inflammatory bowel disease patients to propose a diagnostic approach for inflammatory bowel disease trials.
METHODS
We searched on Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library for all studies on adult inflammatory bowel disease and non-inflammatory bowel disease patients reporting data on fecal incontinence assessment from January 2009 to December 2019.
RESULTS
In total, 328 studies were included; 306 studies enrolled non-inflammatory bowel disease patients and 22 studies enrolled inflammatory bowel disease patients. In non-inflammatory bowel disease trials the most used tools were the Wexner score, fecal incontinence quality of life questionnaire, Vaizey score and fecal incontinence severity index (in 187, 91, 62 and 33 studies). Anal manometry was adopted in 41.2% and endoanal ultrasonography in 34.0% of the studies. In 142 studies (46.4%) fecal incontinence evaluation was performed with a single instrument, while in 64 (20.9%) and 100 (32.7%) studies two or more instruments were used. In inflammatory bowel disease studies the Wexner score, Vaizey score and inflammatory bowel disease quality of life questionnaire were the most commonly adopted tools (in five (22.7%), five (22.7%) and four (18.2%) studies). Anal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography were performed in 45.4% and 18.2% of the studies.
CONCLUSION
Based on prior validation and experience, we propose to use the Wexner score as the first step for fecal incontinence assessment in inflammatory bowel disease trials. Anal manometry and/or endoanal ultrasonography should be taken into account in the case of positive questionnaires.
Topics: Anal Canal; Clinical Trials as Topic; Endosonography; Fecal Incontinence; Female; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Manometry; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 32677555
DOI: 10.1177/2050640620943699 -
BJS Open Sep 2022Circular staplers are commonly used for reconstruction after radical resection for colorectal cancer. Pathological analysis of the anastomotic rings is common practice,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Routine pathologic evaluation of circular stapler anastomotic rings is not useful after resection for colorectal cancer: retrospective study and systematic review with meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Circular staplers are commonly used for reconstruction after radical resection for colorectal cancer. Pathological analysis of the anastomotic rings is common practice, although the benefits are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of routine histopathological analysis of anastomotic rings in an original series and in a systematic review of the literature.
METHOD
The retrospective study was performed at two university-associated academic hospitals in Winnipeg, Canada, including patients investigated for colorectal cancers (within 30 cm of the anal verge) who underwent resection between 2007 and 2020. The systematic review involved Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, selecting for adult human studies involving analysis of anastomotic rings in elective colorectal cancer resections. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients with cancer in the anastomotic ring specimens. The frequency of benign pathology findings and changes to patient management were also examined.
RESULTS
Out of 673 eligible patients, 487 were included in the retrospective analysis. No patients had cancer within the anastomotic ring specimens. Twenty-five patients (5.1 per cent) had benign pathological findings within the anastomotic ring specimens, and patient management was never affected. In the systematic review, 27 articles were included in the final analysis out of 5848 records reviewed. The rate of cancer within anastomotic ring specimens was 0.34 per cent, and the rate of change in patient management was 0.19 per cent.
CONCLUSION
The likelihood of finding cancer within anastomotic rings is rare and their histopathological examination seldom changes patient management.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Anastomosis, Surgical; Colorectal Neoplasms; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Stapling
PubMed: 36221190
DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrac122 -
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery :... Oct 2023Rectal atresia (RA) affects only 1 to 2% of all children with anorectal malformations. No consensus on optimal treatment strategy is yet achieved. Therefore, the aim of...
Rectal atresia (RA) affects only 1 to 2% of all children with anorectal malformations. No consensus on optimal treatment strategy is yet achieved. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to summarize all surgical interventions for RA and outcomes described in the current literature. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library on January 24, 2022. All studies describing treatment for RA in children (< 18 years) were included. Operation technique and postoperative complications were listed. Only descriptive analysis was anticipated. Quality of the studies was assessed using Johanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for case reports and series. The search yielded 6,716 studies of which, after duplicate removal, 4,028 were excluded based on title and abstract screening. After full-text assessment, 22 of 90 studies were included, yielding 70 patients. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and pull-through were most performed (43/70 and 18/70 patients, respectively). Four patients experienced postoperative complications: anal stenosis ( = 1), anastomotic stenosis ( = 2), and death due to a pulmonary complication ( = 1). In the low-quality literature available, most patients with RA are treated with PSARP or pull-through technique. A low complication rate of both has been described but follow-up was often not mentioned. Larger well-designed studies should be performed to determine optimal treatment strategy for children with RA. This study reflects level of evidence V.
Topics: Humans; Child; Anorectal Malformations; Constriction, Pathologic; Anal Canal; Rectum; Rectal Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36516962
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758152 -
BMC Cancer Feb 2024Whether Transanal drainage tubes (TDTs) placement reduces the occurrence of anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal cancer (RC) surgery remains controversial. Most... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Whether Transanal drainage tubes (TDTs) placement reduces the occurrence of anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal cancer (RC) surgery remains controversial. Most existing meta-analyses rely on retrospective studies, while the prospective studies present an inadequate level of evidence.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies on TDTs placement in RC patients after surgery was conducted. The main analysis index was the incidence of AL, Grade B AL, and Grade C AL, while secondary analysis index was the incidence of anastomotic bleeding, incision infection, and anastomotic stenosis. A comprehensive literature search was performed utilizing the databases Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. We recorded Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each included study, and a fixed-effect model or random-effect model was used to investigate the correlation between TDTs placement and four outcomes after RC surgery.
RESULTS
Seven studies (1774 participants, TDT 890 vs non-TDT 884) were considered eligible for quantitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the incidence of AL was 9.3% (83/890) in the TDT group and 10.2% (90/884) in the non-TDT group. These disparities were found to lack statistical significance (P = 0.58). A comprehensive meta-analysis, comprising four studies involving a cumulative sample size of 1259 participants, revealed no discernible disparity in the occurrence of Grade B AL or Grade C AL between the TDT group and the non-TDT group (Grade B AL: TDT 34/631 vs non-TDT 26/628, P = 0.30; Grade C AL: TDT 11/631 vs non-TDT 27/628, P = 0.30). Similarly, the incidences of anastomotic bleeding (4 studies, 876 participants), incision infection (3studies, 713 participants), and anastomotic stenosis (2studies, 561 participants) were 5.5% (24/440), 8.1% (29/360), and 2.9% (8/280), respectively, in the TDT group, and 3.0% (13/436), 6.5% (23/353), and 3.9% (11/281), respectively, in the non-TDT group. These differences were also determined to lack statistical significance (P = 0.08, P = 0.43, P = 0.48, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The placement of TDTs does not significantly affect the occurrence of AL, Grade B AL, and Grade C AL following surgery for rectal cancer. Additionally, TDTs placement does not be associated with increased complications such as anastomotic bleeding, incision infection, or anastomotic stenosis.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO: CRD42023427914.
Topics: Humans; Anastomotic Leak; Incidence; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Constriction, Pathologic; Anal Canal; Rectal Neoplasms; Drainage
PubMed: 38402391
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11990-8 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Apr 2020Pelvic floor trauma during childbirth is highly prevalent and is associated with long term risks of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Societies and organizations...
Pelvic floor trauma during childbirth is highly prevalent and is associated with long term risks of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Societies and organizations have published clinical guidelines in order to standardise and improve the management of perineal care. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the quality of clinical guidelines on obstetric perineal trauma and care using the AGREE II instrument. We searched Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases from inception until the 15th of December 2018 using the terms "guideline" OR "guidelines", OR "guidance", OR "recommendation" AND "obstetric anal sphincter injury", OR "perineal laceration" OR "perineal tear" OR "perineal trauma" OR "vaginal tear". Twelve guidelines were included, in English and Spanish.The assessment of the guidelines was performed using AGREE II by 5 appraisers.Ten guidelines scored more than 50 %, and 3 of them scored higher than 70 %. Two guidelines scored <50 % and were considered as low quality. Level of evidence and grade of recommendations were used by 7 guidelines of the 12 guidelines. Although some guidelines received high scores, there is space for improvement of the standards of guidelines.
Topics: Anal Canal; Delivery, Obstetric; Episiotomy; Female; Humans; Lacerations; Pelvic Floor; Perineum; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pregnancy
PubMed: 32070848
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.01.049