Medicine
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Laminectomy is an effective surgical treatment for multi-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (M-CSM) but usually results in C5 palsy. Some surgical techniques to restore the spinal sequence, increase the intervertebral foramen diameter, and limit the spinal cord drift distance have been proposed; however, it is unclear whether these procedures can avoid this complication. To investigate the clinical efficacy of limited laminectomy and foraminal decompression with fixation (LLFDF) for improving neurological recovery and preventing C5 palsy. ⋯ There were 2 cases of C5 palsy in group A (5.1%) and 8 cases in group B (25.0%), and the difference was significant (P <.05). LLFDF can relieve spinal compression and considerably promote neurological recovery. Moreover, it restricts excessive spinal cord back drifting and decreases the incidence of C5 palsy.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of T2* mapping between regular echo time and ultrashort echo time with 3D cones at 3 tesla for knee meniscus.
The objectives of this study were to compare the ultrashort T2* relaxation time with the T2* relaxation time using the 3 dimensional (3D) cones sequence in 3 groups of patients with normal, degenerated, and torn knee menisci, and to demonstrate the additional effect of the ultrashort echo time (UTE) signal intensity. Following institutional review board approval, 42 knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 42 patients who presented with knee pain and underwent knee MRIs, with the 3D Cones of UTE sequence (minimum TEs: 32 μs) and a 3T MRI scanner (Discovery 750, GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI), were analyzed. The enrolled patients were classified into 3 subgroups:normal meniscus on conventional MRI, with no positive meniscus-related physical examination in medical records;meniscal degeneration with signal changes on conventional MRI; andmeniscal tear. ⋯ The ultrashort T2* relaxation times showed higher effect sizes than the T2* times between tear and normal/degeneration. The ultrashort T2* relaxation times showed better delineation of meniscal degeneration or tears than T2* relaxation times. The ultrashort T2* relaxation times could be more sensitive at differentiating between normal and pathologic meniscal conditions in patients.
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Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is a very rare malignant tumor, belonging to a family of pregnancy-related illnesses, called gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD). Less than 300 cases of PSTT have been reported in literature, with an incidence of ≈ 1/50,000-100,000 pregnancies representing only 0.23% to 3.00% of all GTDs. ⋯ A detailed gynecological ultrasound examination could be extremely helpful to understand the next diagnostic step of echo-guided D&C or hysteroscopic biopsy and for a pre-operative staging assessment. On the contrary, determining the serum beta-HCG's curve is crucial just in case of an initial positive value to pursue clinical evaluation and follow-up. In case of good prognostic factors, the main therapy remains hysterectomy.
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Observational Study
Acellular dermal matrix in premature ejaculation: A preliminary study.
To investigate the efficacy of acellular dermal matrix in penis augmentation (ADMPA) for premature ejaculation (PE). ⋯ Our survey systematically evaluated the effects of ADMPA for PE. ADMPA might be an optional surgical method in patients with PE, especially for those who seek penile augmentation. However, given the small amount of cases involved in this study, further studies on the effect of ADMPA for PE were still needed.
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Case Reports
Cardiac tamponade induced by dabrafenib and trametinib combination therapy for melanoma: Case report.
BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi) are targeted therapy for proto-oncogene BRAF mutated metastatic unresectable melanoma. Compared to monotherapy, an increased cardiovascular toxicity is reported with the combination of Dabrafenib and Trametinib. This case report documents Grade 4 cardiac treatment emergent adverse effect of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade induced by this combination therapy. ⋯ This is the first documented report of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade induced by Dabrafenib and Trametinib. Cardiac toxicity of BRAF/MEK inhibitors is rare but clinicans must monitor for treatment emergent adverse effects.