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Ophthalmologica. Journal International... 2014Keratoconus (KCN) is an ectatic disorder with progressive corneal thinning and a clinical picture of corneal protrusion, progressive irregular astigmatism, corneal... (Review)
Review
Keratoconus (KCN) is an ectatic disorder with progressive corneal thinning and a clinical picture of corneal protrusion, progressive irregular astigmatism, corneal fibrosis and visual deterioration. Other ectatic corneal disorders include: post-LASIK ectasia (PLE) and pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is a procedure whereby riboflavin sensitization with ultraviolet A radiation induces stromal crosslinks. This alters corneal biomechanics, causing an increase in corneal stiffness. In recent years, CXL has been an established treatment for the arrest of KCN, PLE and PMD progression. CXL has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of corneal infections, chemical burns, bullous keratopathy and other forms of corneal edema. This is a current review of CXL - its biomechanical principles, the evolution of CXL protocols in the past, present and future, indications for treatment, treatment efficacy and safety.
Topics: Collagen; Cornea; Corneal Stroma; Cross-Linking Reagents; Elasticity; Humans; Keratoconus; Photosensitizing Agents; Riboflavin; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 24751584
DOI: 10.1159/000357979 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2022This article is based on recommendations from the 12 WALT Congress, Nice, October 3-6, 2018, and a follow-up review of the existing data and the clinical observations of...
DISCLAIMER
This article is based on recommendations from the 12 WALT Congress, Nice, October 3-6, 2018, and a follow-up review of the existing data and the clinical observations of an international multidisciplinary panel of clinicians and researchers with expertise in the area of supportive care in cancer and/or PBM clinical application and dosimetry. This article is informational in nature. As with all clinical materials, this paper should be used with a clear understanding that continued research and practice could result in new insights and recommendations. The review reflects the collective opinion and, as such, does not necessarily represent the opinion of any individual author. In no event shall the authors be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the proposed protocols.
OBJECTIVE
This position paper reviews the potential prophylactic and therapeutic effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on side effects of cancer therapy, including chemotherapy (CT), radiation therapy (RT), and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
BACKGROUND
There is a considerable body of evidence supporting the efficacy of PBM for preventing oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer (HNC), CT, or HSCT. This could enhance patients' quality of life, adherence to the prescribed cancer therapy, and treatment outcomes while reducing the cost of cancer care.
METHODS
A literature review on PBM effectiveness and dosimetry considerations for managing certain complications of cancer therapy were conducted. A systematic review was conducted when numerous randomized controlled trials were available. Results were presented and discussed at an international consensus meeting at the World Association of photobiomoduLation Therapy (WALT) meeting in 2018 that included world expert oncologists, radiation oncologists, oral oncologists, and oral medicine professionals, physicists, engineers, and oncology researchers. The potential mechanism of action of PBM and evidence of PBM efficacy through reported outcomes for individual indications were assessed.
RESULTS
There is a large body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of PBM for preventing OM in certain cancer patient populations, as recently outlined by the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO). Building on these, the WALT group outlines evidence and prescribed PBM treatment parameters for prophylactic and therapeutic use in supportive care for radiodermatitis, dysphagia, xerostomia, dysgeusia, trismus, mucosal and bone necrosis, lymphedema, hand-foot syndrome, alopecia, oral and dermatologic chronic graft-versus-host disease, voice/speech alterations, peripheral neuropathy, and late fibrosis amongst cancer survivors.
CONCLUSIONS
There is robust evidence for using PBM to prevent and treat a broad range of complications in cancer care. Specific clinical practice guidelines or evidence-based expert consensus recommendations are provided. These recommendations are aimed at improving the clinical utilization of PBM therapy in supportive cancer care and promoting research in this field. It is anticipated these guidelines will be revised periodically.
PubMed: 36110957
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.927685 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Jun 2016There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT), more recently termed photobiomodulation (PBM), for the management of oral... (Review)
Review
Low level laser therapy/photobiomodulation in the management of side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: part 1: mechanisms of action, dosimetric, and safety considerations.
PURPOSE
There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT), more recently termed photobiomodulation (PBM), for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Recent advances in PBM technology, together with a better understanding of mechanisms involved, may expand the applications for PBM in the management of other complications associated with HNC treatment. This article (part 1) describes PBM mechanisms of action, dosimetry, and safety aspects and, in doing so, provides a basis for a companion paper (part 2) which describes the potential breadth of potential applications of PBM in the management of side-effects of (chemo)radiation therapy in patients being treated for HNC and proposes PBM parameters.
METHODS
This study is a narrative non-systematic review.
RESULTS
We review PBM mechanisms of action and dosimetric considerations. Virtually, all conditions modulated by PBM (e.g., ulceration, inflammation, lymphedema, pain, fibrosis, neurological and muscular injury) are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of (chemo)radiation therapy-induced complications in patients treated for HNC. The impact of PBM on tumor behavior and tumor response to treatment has been insufficiently studied. In vitro studies assessing the effect of PBM on tumor cells report conflicting results, perhaps attributable to inconsistencies of PBM power and dose. Nonetheless, the biological bases for the broad clinical activities ascribed to PBM have also been noted to be similar to those activities and pathways associated with negative tumor behaviors and impeded response to treatment. While there are no anecdotal descriptions of poor tumor outcomes in patients treated with PBM, confirming its neutrality with respect to cancer responsiveness is a critical priority.
CONCLUSION
Based on its therapeutic effects, PBM may have utility in a broad range of oral, oropharyngeal, facial, and neck complications of HNC treatment. Although evidence suggests that PBM using LLLT is safe in HNC patients, more research is imperative and vigilance remains warranted to detect any potential adverse effects of PBM on cancer treatment outcomes and survival.
Topics: Chemoradiotherapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy
PubMed: 26984240
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3152-z -
JAMA Internal Medicine Feb 2020Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) to individual patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD; defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis in Patients With Stage 4 or 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving a Group II Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
IMPORTANCE
Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) to individual patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD; defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) who receive a group II gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) is not well understood or summarized in the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pooled risk of NSF in patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD receiving a group II GBCA.
DATA SOURCES
A health sciences informationist searched the Ovid (MEDLINE and MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citation, and Daily and Versions), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Open Grey databases from inception to January 29, 2019, yielding 2700 citations.
STUDY SELECTION
Citations were screened for inclusion in a multistep process. Agreement for final cohort inclusion was determined by 2 blinded screeners using Cohen κ. Inclusion criteria consisted of stage 4 or 5 CKD with or without dialysis, administration of an unconfounded American College of Radiology classification group II GBCA (gadobenate dimeglumine, gadobutrol, gadoterate meglumine, or gadoteridol), and incident NSF as an outcome. Conference abstracts, retracted manuscripts, narrative reviews, editorials, case reports, and manuscripts not reporting total group II GBCA administrations were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data extraction was performed for all studies by a single investigator, including publication details, study design and time frame, patient characteristics, group II GBCA(s) administered, total exposures for patients with stage 4 or stage 5 CKD, total cases of unconfounded NSF, reason for GBCA administration, follow-up duration, loss to follow-up, basis for NSF screening, and diagnosis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Pooled incidence of NSF and the associated upper bound of a 2-sided 95% CI (risk estimate) for the pooled data and each of the 4 group II GBCAs.
RESULTS
Sixteen unique studies with 4931 patients were included (κ = 0.68) in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of NSF was 0 of 4931 (0%; upper bound of 95% CI, 0.07%). The upper bound varied owing to different sample sizes for gadobenate dimeglumine (0 of 3167; upper bound of 95% CI, 0.12%), gadoterate meglumine (0 of 1204; upper bound of 95% CI, 0.31%), gadobutrol (0 of 330; upper bound of 95% CI, 1.11%), and gadoteridol (0 of 230; upper bound of 95% CI, 1.59%).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This study's findings suggest that the risk of NSF from group II GBCA administration in stage 4 or 5 CKD is likely less than 0.07%. The potential diagnostic harms of withholding group II GBCA for indicated examinations may outweigh the risk of NSF in this population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO identifier: CRD42019123284.
Topics: Contraindications, Drug; Contrast Media; Gadolinium; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Heterocyclic Compounds; Humans; Meglumine; Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy; Organometallic Compounds; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk; Severity of Illness Index; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
PubMed: 31816007
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.5284 -
Advances in Radiation Oncology 2022Radiation therapy can affect normal tissues in patients with breast cancer, causing adverse effects such as fibrosis. Although there are several interventions for...
PURPOSE
Radiation therapy can affect normal tissues in patients with breast cancer, causing adverse effects such as fibrosis. Although there are several interventions for radiation-induced fibrosis, the efficacy of these procedures is still unclear. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of interventions for radiation-induced fibrosis in patients with breast cancer.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Studies that compared any intervention for fibrosis to another intervention, placebo, or no intervention were included. Outcomes assessed were fibrosis, adverse events, quality of life, treatment adherence, pain, and functionality.
RESULTS
A total of 2501 publications were found, and 7 studies were selected because they met the inclusion criteria. The interventions for fibrosis were pentoxifylline and vitamin E, grape seed extract, kinesiotherapy, and endermotherapy. The results showed great heterogeneity in the treatment protocols for radiation-induced fibrosis in patients with breast cancer and in their evaluation metrics. The meta-analyses showed no benefit in using pentoxifylline and vitamin E compared with placebo or no intervention (standardized mean difference: -0.30; 95% confidence interval, -0.79 to 0.20; = .24 [very low evidence]) compared with placebo and vitamin E (standardized mean difference: -0.09; 95% confidence interval, -0.66 to 0.49; = .77 [moderate evidence]), respectively, assessed by the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force-Subjective, Objective, Management, and Analytic (LENT-SOMA) scoring scale.
CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of these interventions for the treatment of radiation-induced fibrosis in patients with breast cancer could not be determined. Although isolated studies show significant results favorable to the experimental groups, caution should be exercised in these findings because of the small number, small sample size, and high risk of bias presented by some of the included studies, which makes the recommendation for clinical practice still weak.
PubMed: 35647406
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2022.100912 -
Medical Ultrasonography Jan 2017The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography for non‑invasive evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and C patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AIM
The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and C patients through Meta-analysis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Four databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, WanFang data, and CNKI) were searched. The key words were: ("ARFI" or "acoustic radiation force impulse") combined with "liver fibrosis" and ("chronic hepatitis" or "HBV HCV"). Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed, and its source was analyzed through meta-regression.
RESULTS
21 articles with 2,691 patients were included. The compositeSe=0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.83) and Sp=0.86 (95% CI: 0.85-0.88). ARFI elastography showed a better ability to evaluate higherstage liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis (F=3 and F=4, respectively). For F≥3, Se=0.84 (95% CI: 0.80-0.88, I2=61.37), Sp=0.90 (95% CI: 0.86-0.92, I2=65.10), and AUROC=0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.95). Se and Sp and AUROC of F=4 were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80-0.91, I2=70.67), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80-0.88, I2=78.94) and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89-0.94), respectively. Besides, the combined RFI values indicate that CHC patients had higher ARFI values especially in the F3 stage (1.87 [95% CI: 1.67-2.06] and 2.31[95% CI: 2.09-2.52] for CHB and CHC, respectively).
CONCLUSION
ARFI elastography is accurate and reliable in the diagnosis of CHB- and CHC-induced liver fibrosis and is especially suitable for the evaluation of stages F≥3 and F=4. CHC patients manifest higher ARFI values than CHB patients especially in the F3 stage.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Female; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; ROC Curve; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 28180193
DOI: 10.11152/mu-942 -
The Breast Journal 2022To assess determinants associated with late local radiation toxicity in patients treated for breast cancer. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To assess determinants associated with late local radiation toxicity in patients treated for breast cancer.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed. All studies reporting ≥2 variables associated with late local radiation toxicity after treatment with postoperative whole breast irradiation were included. Cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and cross-sectional studies were eligible designs. Study characteristics and definitions of determinants and outcome measures were extracted. If possible, the measure of association was extracted.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies were included in this review. Six out of seven studies focused on the association between radiotherapy (boost) dose or irradiated breast volume and late radiation toxicity found significant results. Tumor bed boost was associated with late radiation toxicity, fibrosis, and/or edema in six out of twelve studies. Lower age was associated with late breast toxicity in one study, while in another study, higher age was significantly associated with breast fibrosis. Also, no association between age and late radiation toxicity was found in eight out of twelve studies. Similar inconsistent results were found in the association between late radiation toxicity and other patient-related factors (i.e., breast size, diabetes mellitus) and surgical and systemic treatment-related factors (i.e., complications after surgery, chemotherapy, and time between surgery and radiotherapy).
CONCLUSION
In modern 3D radiotherapy, radiotherapy (boost) dose and volume are-like in 2D radiotherapy-associated with late local radiation toxicity, such as breast fibrosis and edema. Treatment de-escalation, for example, partial breast irradiation in selected patients might be important to decrease late local toxicity without compromising locoregional control and survival.
Topics: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Mastectomy, Segmental; Radiation Injuries
PubMed: 35711897
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6745954 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Apr 2020Radiation dermatitis is a common adverse effect of radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. Although radiation dermatitis is reported by either the clinician or the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Radiation dermatitis is a common adverse effect of radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. Although radiation dermatitis is reported by either the clinician or the patient, previous studies have shown disagreement between clinician-reported outcomes (CROs) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This review evaluated the extent of discordance between CROs and PROs for radiation dermatitis. Studies reporting both clinician and patient-reported outcomes for external beam RT were eligible. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, while 8 of these studies were eligible for inclusion in a meta-analysis of acute and late skin toxicities. We found an overall agreement between CROs and PROs of acute skin colour change, fibrosis and/or retraction, and moist desquamation (p > 0.005). Reporting of late breast pain, breast edema, skin colour change, telangiectasia, fibrosis and/or retraction and induration/fibrosis alone (p > 0.005) were also in agreement between clinicians and patients. Our meta-analysis revealed a greater reporting of acute breast pain by patients (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.87-0.92, p < 0.001), greater reporting of acute breast edema by physicians (RR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.65-1.97, p < 0.001) and a greater reporting of late breast shrinkage by patients (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.86, p = 0.005). However, our review was limited by the discrepancies between PRO and CRO measurement tools as well as the absence of standard time points for evaluation of radiation dermatitis. Given potential discrepancies between CROs and PROs, both measures should be reported in future studies. Ultimately, we advocate for the development of a single tool to assess symptoms from both perspectives.
Topics: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Edema; Fibrosis; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pain; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Physicians; Radiodermatitis
PubMed: 31563429
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2019.09.009 -
PloS One 2020Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is an ultrasound-based elastography method that has been studied in the staging of hepatic fibrosis, especially in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is an ultrasound-based elastography method that has been studied in the staging of hepatic fibrosis, especially in chronic hepatitis. However, the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI in non-viral hepatopathies, such as autoimmune hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, has not been systematically determined.
AIM
To systematically assess the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI in non-viral hepatopathies.
METHODS
The databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched for candidate studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI for hepatic fibrosis. The pooled estimates of the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated with the summary receiver operating curve (sROC) performed using STATA software.
RESULTS
In detail, a total of 29 diagnostic studies were included for further analysis. The quality of the included studies was relatively high using QUADAS method. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.79 (0.73, 0.83) and 0.81 (0.75, 0.86), with AUROC 0.87 (0.83, 0.89) for the staging of significant fibrosis (F≥2). Meanwhile, for the staging of severe fibrosis (F≥3), the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 (0.87, 0.95) and 0.85 (0.80, 0.89), with AUROC 0.94 (0.92, 0.96). Furthermore, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.89 (0.79, 0.95) and 0.89 (0.85, 0.92), with AUROC 0.94 (0.92, 0.96) for ARFI in staging cirrhosis (F = 4), which were similar to the data for severe fibrosis. No significant publication bias was present in this study.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis demonstrated that ARFI exerted satisfactory diagnostic performance in staging non-viral hepatic fibrosis, especially severe fibrosis (F≥3) and cirrhosis (F = 4).
Topics: Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Fibrosis; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases
PubMed: 31940395
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227358 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Sep 2001To review published reports on arterio-ureteral fistula. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review published reports on arterio-ureteral fistula.
METHOD
Literature search.
RESULTS
Eighty cases were identified. Primary fistulas were mainly seen in combination with aortoiliac aneurysmal disease. Secondary fistulas were seen after pelvic cancer surgery, often with radiation, fibrosis and ureteral stenting or after vascular surgery with synthetic grafting. The dominating symptom is massive haematuria, often with circulatory impairment. The clue to a rapid and correct diagnosis is a high degree of suspicion. Most frequently diagnosis has been obtained through angiography or pyelography. When there is a ureteral stent manipulation it will often provoke bleeding and lead to diagnosis. The fistula must be excluded and a vascular reconstruction made. Most frequently this has been obtained through occlusion of the fistula and an extra-anatomic reconstruction (femoro-femoral crossover). Recently stent-grafting has been successfully used but follow-up is short.
CONCLUSION
Arterio-ureteral fistula is rare and should be suspected in patients with complicated pelvic surgery and massive haematuria, especially where rigid ureteral stents have been placed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Hematuria; Humans; Iliac Aneurysm; Iliac Artery; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome; Ureteral Diseases; Urinary Fistula; Vascular Fistula
PubMed: 11506509
DOI: 10.1053/ejvs.2001.1432