Medicine
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Comparative Study
Comparison of treatment results between microvascular decompression and gamma knife radiosurgery in primary trigeminal neuralgia.
This study aims to analyze and evaluate the comparative clinical outcomes associated with microvascular decompression (MVD) and gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS), focusing on pain relief, pain recurrence, and complications encountered in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Among 155 surgical procedures performed for TN (90 GKRS, and 65 MVD) between March 1997 and December 2020, the exclusion criteria encompassed prior surgical interventions, the presence of other pathological conditions such as tumors, vascular diseases, and multiple sclerosis, as well as patients who were lost to follow-up. Ultimately, 101 patients received their initial treatment for primary TN (47 GKRS, and 54 MVD) and were followed up for more than 1 year. ⋯ The maintenance of pain relief after MVD proved significantly superior to that following GKRS (P < .01). Both MVD and GKRS present as safe and efficacious therapeutic options for individuals diagnosed with primary TN, though MVD displayed superior initial outcomes in terms of pain relief and its maintenance. However, for older patients or those with medical contraindications to invasive procedures, GKRS emerges as a viable and less invasive alternative for initial treatment in cases of primary TN.
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Heart failure is a chronic condition that imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Effective management is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used to manage heart failure by reducing cardiac strain and preventing disease progression. Despite their common use, ACE inhibitors and ARBs differ in mechanisms, cost, and potential side effects. ACE inhibitors have long been the standard treatment, while ARBs are often prescribed to patients intolerant to ACE inhibitors, particularly due to side effects like cough. Given these differences, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of these treatments is essential. This study compares the cost-effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and ARBs from a healthcare system perspective, considering both direct medical costs and health outcomes. ⋯ ACE inhibitors are likely a more cost-effective option for managing heart failure than ARBs, particularly from a healthcare system perspective. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring treatment decisions to individual patient factors, preferences, and clinical conditions, providing valuable insights for healthcare policy and practice, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness across patient subgroups.
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Observational Study
Prediction of immediate bleeding after cold snare polypectomy: A prospective observational study.
The risk factors for immediate post-polypectomy bleeding (IPPB) after cold snare polypectomy (CSP) are not well-known. We sought to define such risk factors and develop a predictive risk-scoring model. This prospective observational study included 161 polyps (4-9 mm in diameter) that were removed via CSP from 118 patients during the period from June to September 2019 in 2 tertiary hospitals. ⋯ At a cutoff of 2, the sensitivity was 85.7% and the specificity was 65.0%; at a cutoff of 3, the sensitivity was 65% and the specificity was 90.0%. Polyp size and morphology, as well as iatrogenic ulcer size and shape, were associated with IPPB after CSP. The four-marker risk-scoring model appears to effectively predict IPPB after CSP (Clinical Research Information Service: KCT0004375).
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Case Reports
Experience sharing of a case of dual atrioventricular nodal non-reentrant tachycardia: Case report.
Tachycardia is a common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and its pathogenesis is mostly related to reentry. However, there are also a few tachycardia that are not related to reentry. Actively clarifying the pathogenesis of these non-reentry related tachycardia is of great significance for its treatment. ⋯ DAVNNT is a rare disease in clinical practice. Its characteristic is not reentration-related arrhythmias, but the phenomenon of increased heart rate caused by electrical conduction down the double pathway of atrioventricular nodal tract and subsequent pathway. Electrophysiological examination helps to clarify the diagnosis and pathogenesis, and catheter ablation can cure the disease.
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Case Reports
Robot-assisted resection of ganglion cell neuroma with a diameter of 78 mm: A case report.
Intrathoracic paragangliomas are typically found within the intricate posterior mediastinal region adjacent to the vertebrae, often presenting with substantial volume. Surgical excision of such tumors presents formidable challenges and is conventionally performed via open surgical procedures. ⋯ The successful application of the robot-assisted thoracic surgery surgical technique underscores its efficacy in minimally invasive resection of sizable intrathoracic tumors situated in the posterior mediastinum.